Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy extends to the Pilbra

Perth Wildcats and Rio Tinto launch new elite development pathway for Pilbara basketballers

The Perth Wildcats, in partnership with Rio Tinto, are expanding the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy into the Pilbara, giving young basketballers and coaches across the region greater access to elite development pathways closer to home.

The announcement was made today at the Wildcats’ historic preseason game against the Cairns Taipans in Karratha, the first official NBL game to be played in the Pilbara.

Beginning in 2027, the expanded Academy will bring Wildcats coaching expertise, player development programs and high performance knowledge to young athletes and coaches in the region through four visits each year, helping build stronger pathways for regional basketball.

It will be the first time the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy has expanded into regional Western Australia.

Select Pilbara athletes will also travel to Perth for an immersive “Pro Week” experience, providing firsthand exposure to an elite training environment and a clearer understanding of the pathway to higher levels of the game.

The long term vision is to establish a dedicated Pilbara Academy program that develops local talent and creates opportunities for athletes to progress alongside the broader Perth Wildcats Academy.

The expansion builds on the success of the Wildcats’ partnership with Rio Tinto in the region, which has already engaged more than 1,500 children through basketball clinics across the Pilbara.

A further 500 young people will take part in clinics this week, alongside coach education sessions designed to strengthen local coaching capability.

Perth Wildcats Owner Mark Arena said expanding the Academy into the Pilbara would help ensure talented young athletes could access quality coaching and development opportunities, regardless of where they lived.

“We want every young basketballer to believe they have a pathway to succeed. Expanding the Academy into the Pilbara is an exciting step towards making those opportunities more accessible for regional athletes and coaches.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz said bringing the Academy to Pilbara basketballers reflected the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting healthy and connected communities across the region.

“Rio Tinto has been part of the Pilbara for 60 years, and partnerships like this are one way we can continue supporting the communities that have helped shape our story.

“By investing in young people and supporting local coaches, we can help strengthen grassroots sport in the communities where our people live and work, while providing talented basketballers with opportunities to experience elite training programs.”

The historic Karratha NBL pre-season game coincides with Rio Tinto’s 60th anniversary celebrations in Western Australia, commemorating the first iron ore exports from the Pilbara on 22 August 1966.

For six decades, Rio Tinto has worked alongside communities across the state, supporting local employment, regional development and initiatives that help communities thrive.