What to Expect at BASE Mini: A Parent’s Guide

Sometimes the hardest part is not starting sport.

It is knowing what to do when your child starts showing interest, but you are not quite sure what comes next.

Maybe they have found a real passion for basketball and want more time on court.

Maybe they are playing at school, but you can see they need a bit more structure to keep growing.

Maybe they have picked up the basics, but now they are starting to plateau because they need clearer coaching, more repetition, and a better understanding of how the game actually works.

Or maybe your whānau is still in the “try everything and see what sticks” stage — basketball one term, football the next, swimming somewhere in between — and you are trying to work out which sport feels right for your tamaiti.

That is where BASE Mini comes in.

BASE Mini is our basketball programme for children aged 7–9 who are ready to grow their skills, build confidence, and start learning how to move as part of a team.

It is still beginner-friendly.

Still supportive.

Still a place where mistakes are normal.

But now, we start adding more structure.

Who is BASE Mini for?

BASE Mini is usually best for children aged 7–9 who have some early confidence with basketball, or are ready for a more structured session.

They don't need to be advanced.

They don't need to be the best player on the court.

They don't need to know all the rules.

That's a job for our experienced coaches to teach.

BASE Mini may suit your child if they:

• are aged around 7–9

• enjoy basketball and want to keep learning

• have done Hoop Club and are ready for the next step

• are starting to play at school and want extra coaching

• can follow coach instructions in a group

• are ready to learn with teammates

• need a supportive place to build confidence

• are ready for more movement, structure, and small-sided games

How is BASE Mini different from Hoop Club?

Hoop Club is our first step.

It is where children learn the main basics of basketball: dribbling, passing, shooting, coordination, and confidence in the space.

BASE Mini is the next layer.

We are still building the basics, but now we are asking children to start using those skills with other players around them.

How are BASE Mini sessions structured?

BASE Mini runs across an 8-week term, with a different weekly theme to help players build their skills step by step.

Weeks 1 - 4: Offence

1: Dribbling

2: Transition

3: Shooting

4: Spacing

Weeks 5 - 7: Defence

5: 1v1: Dribbling

6: 3v3: Transition and Intercepts

7: 5v5: Help Defense

Week 8: Parents vs Kids

Is BASE Mini the right fit for my child?

BASE Mini is designed for children aged 7–9 who are ready for a more structured basketball session.

This programme is a good fit for tamariki who:

• enjoy basketball and want to keep learning

• can follow coach instructions in a group setting

• are ready to practise skills with more repetition and focus

• need help connecting dribbling, passing, shooting, and spacing into the game

• are ready to learn movement on and off the ball

• can participate in small-sided games like 3-on-3

• would benefit from clear coaching in a supportive environment

BASE Mini may not be the right fit yet if your child is brand new to sport, still needs a trusted adult beside them to participate, or would benefit from a softer first step. In that case, Hoop Club may be a better starting point.

If your child is older, more confident, and ready for stronger game concepts, BASE may be the better fit.

If you are unsure, book a free trial or take our quiz and we will help point you in the right direction.

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