RUN IT BACK ACADEMY
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TERM ONE!
Welcome to Run It Back Academy, where we focus on building strong fundamentals, advanced skills, and overall athletic development for youth athletes.
Our Term 1 program begins February 2nd and offers a structured pathway for players of all levels to grow their game. Each session combines expert coaching, high-energy training, and a supportive environment to help your child reach their full potential.
QUESTIONS?
Registration is via the Google Form. Payment is made via the secure stripe payment links in the form. Payment can be made on the week the program commences. Payment can either be weekly direct debit, or a bank transfer for an upfront term payment.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Please select the appropriate age group for your child. There will be two basketball coaches at every training session for skill differentiation, and the strength and conditioning will be age appropriate.
Under 10's and 12's (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)
Under 14's and 16's (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
You can then select whether you wish to attend Mondays, Wednesdays or both days.
You can also select whether you wish to attend basketball, strength and conditioning, or both.
Discounts apply for additional sessions.
WHAT SHOULD I SELECT?
Strength & Conditioning (S&C) classes are structured training sessions designed to help youth basketball players move better, get stronger, and stay injury-free. Sessions focus on age-appropriate strength, speed, agility, balance, and coordination, while teaching proper technique and good movement habits. The goal is to support on-court performance, build athletic confidence, and safely prepare players’ bodies for the demands of basketball as they grow.
WHAT IS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING?
At RIB Academy, our skill sessions are led by coaches who have played and coached at the highest levels of the game. Our coaches bring real-world experience from NCAA, national teams, NBL1, JUCO, Youth League, and elite junior pathways. This means players aren’t just going through basic cone drills, they’re learning why and how skills translate to real game situations. We focus on strong fundamentals, advanced skill work, decision-making, and confidence, with coaching that adapts to each athlete’s age and stage of development. Our proven track record includes guiding players from grassroots basketball through to elite junior, collegiate, and professional pathways.
Our Strength & Conditioning program is built specifically for basketball athletes and delivered by qualified Exercise & Sport Science professionals and S&C coaches, with experience in elite high-performance environments. Sessions focus on safe, age-appropriate strength training, speed, agility, movement quality, and injury prevention. With current experience working alongside junior and elite athletes, and formal training in Physiotherapy and Osteopathy, our approach supports long-term athletic development, not just short-term gains. The result is stronger, more resilient players who move better, reduce injury risk, and perform with confidence both on and off the court.
WHY RIB ACADEMY?
MEET THE COACHES
DENG KUANY
DK is the Founder of Pro Hoops Development and brings a wealth of experience as both a player and coach. His playing career includes time in the NCAA, representing the South Sudanese National Team, and competing in NBL1. Along the way, he became a Youth League Champion (2014), U18 National Classic Champion (2013), and a four-time SSNBA Champion.
With over a decade of coaching and player development experience, DK has established himself as a leading figure in skill development across all levels of the game. He has successfully run skills classes and camps that have guided athletes from grassroots basketball through to NCAA Division I and NBL prospects.
DK’s combination of high-level playing experience and proven coaching success allows him to identify and nurture talent, helping athletes unlock their potential and take their game to the next level.
GEORGE TOAISHARA
George has been immersed in basketball his entire life, progressing through the VJBL ranks before taking his game to the United States to compete at the JUCO level in Colorado. Upon returning to Australia, he continued his playing career with stints in Youth League, UBL, and Big V, experiences that shaped his understanding of the game from multiple perspectives.
Transitioning into coaching, George has become a respected figure across the Victorian basketball community. He is the Founder of TrenchWork Hoops, and currently serves as Head Coach at Westbourne Grammar, Skills Trainer with TrenchWork Hoops, Head Coach for Helping Hoops Footscray, and U20s Head Coach for the Kyneton Tigers.
George brings a wealth of coaching experience across all levels, from grassroots to elite development, and is recognised for his attention to detail, passion for teaching, and commitment to player growth both on and off the court.
EMMANUEL MALOU
Emmanuel brings a wealth of experience to Run It Back Academy, having spent over eight years competing at the professional international level. His career has taken him across the globe, including time in the NBL and representing the South Sudanese National Team.
A standout from the beginning, Emmanuel was a JUCO All-American and a 2016 NBA Draft Prospect, achievements that reflect his talent and dedication to the game. Most recently, he became a two-time NBL1 Champion with Mackay, further cementing his reputation as a leader on and off the court.
Beyond his playing career, Emmanuel is passionate about developing the next generation of athletes. During his off-seasons, he invests his time into coaching, mentoring, and passing on the knowledge and skills that have shaped his own journey. His unique blend of professional playing experience, international competition, and coaching insight makes him an invaluable part of the Academy.
LUKE AXIAK
Luke brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Run It Back Academy, with a strong background in Exercise and Sport Science and hands-on work across multiple high-performance environments.
He has gained valuable experience at elite clubs including North Melbourne Football Club (NMFC), Western United FC, and CWFC VFL. He currently as a Strength & Conditioning Coach with a high-performance swimming club, where he supports Olympians and Paralympians in their pursuit of excellence.
Alongside his coaching, Luke is completing his Master of Physiotherapy at Swinburne University, with a long-term goal of supporting an entire athletes journey, be it through recovery, rehabilitation or peak performance.
As an athlete himself, having played Big V basketball, he understands the demands of high-level sport and is passionate about helping athletes not only perform better in their chosen field but also develop strength, resilience, and confidence that transfers to life outside of sport.
