July 6 & 7

Holiday Program registrations are open — U10s to U16s

Term 3 2026

Registrations are now open — lock in your spot for the 9-week term

rib academy · term 3 2026

BUILD THE PLAYER.BUILD THE ATHLETE.

9-week program. Starts Monday July 20th. U8 through U20.

A few minutes. One form.

100+

Academy Athletes

Classes a week

30+

Years of coaching & industry experience

Star Google rating

Not sure yet?

Try a session for $29.95.

Pick any available time slot in the next fortnight and try a single session before committing to the term. No account required — book, pay, show up.

Book a Trial

Three programs. One academy.

Basketball Skills

Deng Kuany · George Toaishara · Ajak Ajak

Develop the skills, decision-making and on-court confidence to perform in real game situations.

Athletic Development

ARIE VAN DER MERWE

Strength & conditioning, injury reduction and performance coaching. Making athletes faster, stronger and more controlled.

U8 Fundamentals

Daniel Rivette

Fun, supportive intro to dribbling, passing, shooting and teamwork. The first step into the game.

Head coaches

Elite playing backgrounds, decades of coaching, and a shared commitment to youth development.

Head Coach · DK

Coach Deng Kuany

Founder of Pro Hoops Development. NCAA player, South Sudanese National Team representative and NBL1 competitor with over a decade of skill development experience guiding athletes from grassroots through to NCAA D1 and NBL prospects.

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.

Head Coach

Coach George Toaishara

Founder of TrenchWork Hoops. Former JUCO, Youth League, UBL and Big V player. Head Coach at Westbourne Grammar and U20s Head Coach at Kyneton Tigers — known for attention to detail and player development across all levels.

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.

Head Coach

Coach Arie van der Merwe

Osteopath and Strength & Conditioning coach. Bachelor of Science and Master of Health Science (Osteopathy). Founder of the Academy and Facility, focused on pairing injury rehab with athletic development for youth.

After completing a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy), Arie spent his first four years working in a variety of settings, including private practice and semi-professional AFL. Arie continues to work as an Osteopath, but has since also become a Strength & Conditioning coach, pairing his passion for injury rehabilitation with performance.

Arie was a talented athlete, competing at a high level in athletics but he was limited by injury through his teenage years. His inspiration for entering the health and fitness industry was to help youth avoid the frustration and set backs injury cause. He believes youth athletic development is an excellent way to build an athletic foundation and base to learn to move well, from both an injury reduction and performance improvement perspective.

He also owns and runs the Academy and Facility alongside his lovely Wife Mikayla, who is involved in the administrative side of the Academy.

Ready to join the academy?

Lock in your spot for the 9-week term.

Term 3 timetable

U10+ sessions 60 min · U8 sessions 45 min · 9-week term

Limited spots per class

Class sizes are capped. Places are limited in each time slot so coaches can maintain session quality, provide individual feedback and keep athletes actively involved.

U18 / U20

Born 2007–2010

Monday7:30–8:30pmPro Hoops Development
Tuesday6:00–7:00pmPro Hoops Development

U14 / U16

Born 2011–2014

Monday5:30–6:30pmAthletic Development
Monday6:30–7:30pmBasketball Skills
Wednesday5:30–6:30pmAthletic Development
Wednesday6:30–7:30pmBasketball Skills
Thursday5:30–6:30pmAthletic Development
Thursday6:30–7:30pmBasketball Skills

U10 / U12

Born 2015–2018

Monday5:30–6:30pmBasketball Skills
Tuesday5:30–6:30pmBasketball Skills
Wednesday5:30–6:30pmBasketball Skills
Thursday5:30–6:30pmBasketball Skills

U8

Born 2019–2021

Tuesday5:15–6:00pmBasketball Fundamentals (45 min)
Thursday5:15–6:00pmBasketball Fundamentals (45 min)
Saturday11:30am–12:15pmBasketball Fundamentals (45 min)

Pricing

Pricing is based on combined sessions per week across all your children. 2 kids doing 1 session each = 2 sessions per week. Applies to all U10+ age groups.
U8 Fundamentals is priced separately at $20 per 45-minute session and is billed via its own payment link.

1× per week

$29.95

per week

2× per week

$49.95

per week

Save 17%

3× per week

$69.95

per week

Save 22% · FREE 24/7 membership

4× per week

$79.95

per week

Save 33% · FREE 24/7 membership

5× per week

$99.95

per week

Save 33% · FREE 24/7 membership

6× per week

$119.95

per week

Save 33% · FREE 24/7 membership

U18 / U20 bundle

Pro Hoops × RIB Membership — $64.95/wk

2× Pro Hoops Development sessions + online gym program + 24/7 facility access. Built for serious U18/U20 athletes.

Call to enrol

What's included

+Free reversible training singlet for new members (sponsored by Jasko Finance)
+Free parent gym access during your child's session times
+Flexible 1–6 sessions per week, mix Skills and Athletic Development
+Free RIB247 24/7 membership when training 3+ times per week
+Coaches with elite playing and professional S&C / clinical backgrounds

Cancellation

Missed sessions must be made up during the term. No further makeups beyond that. This keeps the program structured and fair for everyone. Sessions can be rebooked through the parent portal.

Inside the academy

Skills, strength, U8s through U20 — the work that goes in every week.

Term 3 startsMonday July 20th.

Class sizes are capped and places are limited in each time slot — register your player now to lock in your sessions.

Limited spots per class

From the families

What parents say.

· Google Reviews

"Runitback Academy in Truganina has been awesome for my boys, Ethan and Alex. They're now playing better in both domestic and rep basketball, and they genuinely look forward to every session. The coaching is excellent, and the strength and conditioning in the upstairs gym has made them stronger, and more confident on court. Great people, great program, and a really positive environment."

Joe

Parent

"My kids loved RIB, their teaching level was absolutely amazing. All of the teachers are amazing they teach my kids great stuff. I really recommend this basketball training. In my Opinion it is amazing training and I will rate this an 5/5. Love this basketball training 🏀."

Surjeet

Parent

"Elite skills coach and exceptional facility. Son and I look forward to every session!"

Philip

Parent

FAQ

Got questions.

Why Run It Back Academy?+

Our coaches have played and trained at the highest levels — NCAA, NBL1, national teams and pro development programs. We bring that experience into every session. The program structure has been refined over the past two years, with multiple coaches on court at every session to make sure kids are challenged appropriately and get the individual guidance they need to improve.

Why Athletic Development?+

Youth strength and conditioning builds a solid athletic foundation from an injury reduction and performance improvement perspective. Teaching kids to move well early — proper landing mechanics, sprint mechanics, change of direction and core control — reduces their risk of injury and makes them faster, stronger and more confident athletes on the court.

Who is RIB Academy for?+

We tailor sessions for rep kids working to make their next state team, domestic kids aiming for their first rep team, and beginners who are just falling in love with the game. Kids are placed in the right group with appropriate progressions so every athlete is challenged at their level. The centre of RIB Academy is simple: improve every individual week by week.

Are coaches qualified and screened?+

Yes. All coaches hold current Working With Children Checks and First Aid certifications. Many also hold advanced coaching accreditations and degrees in exercise science, osteopathy or related fields.

What should my child bring?+

A basketball, a water bottle and comfortable training gear. Reversible training singlets are provided free for new members. Parents are welcome to use the gym during their child's session time at no extra cost.

Can we try a session before committing?+

Absolutely. We offer trial sessions for $29.95 so your child can experience the environment, meet the coaches and see if the program is the right fit before signing up for the full term.