Our Mission

Our mission is to provide opportunities for youth to grow as athletes and individuals through basketball. We believe that sports have the power to change lives and bring communities together, and we strive to make a positive impact in every player’s journey.

Who we are

Eagles Sports Association is a community-based organisation that provides welfare programs to young South Sudanese and non-South Sudanese individuals, using basketball as a tool to offer more than just playing the sport. The Eagles “community hub” is a centre of inspiration for young people to achieve their potential career and life ambitions through sports, education, culture, and health.

Most importantly, we are committed to changing the lives of young people on and off the court through our well-defined programs that aim to help with more than just sport such as mentoring programs, sports coaching, cultural education, education supports and workshops.

Our programs aim to:

  • Enhance general fitness and wellbeing

  • Encourage community development and cross-cultural interaction

  • Promote positive behaviour and keep youth off the streets

  • Encourage grass root development and advocating for girls’ participation and teaching them discipline and other important values

  • Provide opportunities to socialise and formally integrate into the wider Australian community

  • Promote a competitive yet friendly spirit in a sporting environment

Eagles Sports Association is dedicated to building character through teamwork, leadership, and community development. The existence of the Eagles’ community hub has helped the South Sudanese community in many ways. As a new and emerging community having experienced a lot of uncertainties in life and the challenges of new environment, it is challenging for young people to get the support need to be involved in sports, due to various obstacles including cost of sports, cultural barriers and understanding.

The creation of the Eagles Sports Association aims to address issues faced by young South Sudanese and other new migrants in Canberra and including all disadvantage members of our Canberra communities, such as a lack of understanding of the positive impact sport bringing. We support potential talent, promote unity, and address financial constraints. Sports can be very expensive, and many families cannot afford to pay for their children. Therefore, having an avenue where young people can build their confidence, develop their skills, socialise, and identify their talent in basketball early.

We work hard to close the gap in adopting sports and education, encouraging parents to invest in their kids’ activities. We are constantly assisting and finding ways to addressing issues of lack of interest in the sport with potential talent, finding teams to play, lack of confident in which young people shy away and feel they no good to adopt the sport, sport is very expensive and families cannot afford to pay for their children so having an avenue where children and young people come and access free coaching, mentorship and identify their talent in basketball is eminent.

We organise and participate in events like Basketball tournaments across Australia helps break down barriers within the community.

Our Programs

  • The PAMA (Perspective And Mindsets Alignment) program addresses the complex challenges faced by the South Sudanese community in Australia, including cultural shocks, mental health issues, strained family dynamics, youth problems, and difficulties with legal and social systems. Traditional solutions have been inadequate, so PAMA uses innovative and diverse approaches to overcome these challenges.

    The program aims to bridge physical, emotional, and mental health gaps among parents, children, youth, and systems, create activities to help parents guide their children within a new cultural context, provide opportunities and support for families and individuals through appropriate services, and unite traditional and contemporary cultural perspectives for better outcomes.

    PAMA collaborates with parents, youth, elders, sporting groups, religious groups, cultural groups, professionals, and historians to achieve its goals, focusing on understanding differing perspectives between younger and older generations, revisiting traditional South Sudanese cultural norms, and learning modern Australian cultural norms.

    The key challenges addressed include cultural shocks, mental health problems, strained family dynamics, youth issues, and difficulties with legal and social systems.

    By fostering understanding and providing tailored solutions through open conversations and collaborative efforts, PAMA aims to improve cultural integration, mental health, family dynamics, and youth development, enhancing understanding and collaboration across generations and cultures. Through PAMA program, we creating a cohesive and resilient South Sudanese community in Australia.

    PAMA – Perspective And Mindsets Alignment - Unity in Diverse Solutions for Diverse Problems

  • Canberra Eagles Basketball Program

    The Canberra Eagles Basketball Program, established in 2006, started with just a few male athletes and has grown into a highly successful initiative over the years. The program has been instrumental in promoting the participation of both girls and boys, breaking cultural barriers and beliefs. Currently, the program caters to over 60 athletes across Canberra, aged 5 to 25 years, with new members joining every month. It welcomes individuals from all nationalities eager to learn basketball skills and engage in cross-cultural education.

    The success of the Canberra Eagles Basketball Program is attributed to the dedication of volunteer community youth and the generosity of Radford College, which partners with Eagles by allowing the use of their facility for free every Saturday. This partnership is further strengthened by the service exchange of Garang Kuer Bul—Young Canberra Citizen of the Year for Individual Achievement Award 2011—who is the Head Coach and President of Eagles Sports Association, participating in Radford programs and mentoring through PAMA – Perspectives and Mindsets Alignment. Currently, the Eagles Sports Association and Basketball ACT are in partnership to strengthen the program.

    Dedicated to grassroots development, the Canberra Eagles Basketball Program advocates for girls' participation in basketball, instilling discipline and important values in young people. The program is designed to cater to everyone, from beginners to semi-professionals. Each Saturday, 2-hour basketball sessions are held for all groups, with volunteer coaches assigned to each group.

    Serving as a transitional basketball academy for the community, the program feeds into Basketball ACT and assists underdeveloped athletes while addressing cultural barriers. It meets community needs by tackling financial hardships, promoting an understanding of the benefits of sports, and aligning the schedule to fit parents' availability for dropping off and picking up their kids. Cultural gatherings and family commitments are also considered to enhance participation.

    The program provides free basketball coaching for its members and runs year-round, encompassing 45 weeks of engagement and basketball clinics. It focuses on skill development, from fundamental to advanced skills, game philosophy, and group-specific drills tailored for different ages and skill levels. The program includes techniques and analysis sessions, scrimmages for real-game practice, engaging fitness activities, and provides constructive feedback and encouragement.

    The program features the Eagles Elites for advanced athletes and includes participation in SSANBA tournaments, local tournaments, and friendly games, emphasizing leadership, strategy, and peak performance. Weekly training sessions are held for all groups, with specialized training for Eagles Elites. The Eagles Elites are also connected to the Bul Kuol Mentorship program, ensuring family and athlete support.

    The program participates in major tournaments such as the SSANBA National Classic in July for U14, U16, and U18 boys and girls, and the SSANBA Summer Slam in December for U20, men, and women, alongside other local tournaments. Individual athletes and families are encouraged to enrol or join mainstream local clubs at Basketball ACT when confident or financially stable. The Bul Kuol Camp is another significant program accessible to our athletes.

    Eagles Programs are membership-based, requiring all athletes to register to receive the full benefits. However, community education, awareness, and individual one-off assistance do not require membership, as our coaches are committed to community development, wellbeing, and growth.

  • Supporting Athletes Love for Education (SALFE)

    The Eagles Education Support Program is a culturally appropriate initiative designed to support the academic success and career aspirations of children and young people belonging to Canberra Eagles Basketball. The program provides structured educational support before their basketball training sessions on Saturday mornings, ensuring a balance between academic achievement and sports engagement. By integrating education with their passion for basketball, the program will create a strong foundation for the future success of Eagles players and will support the South Sudanese community in Canberra.

    Canberra Eagles Basketball has been operating in Canberra for more than a decade. Led by Garang Kuer Bul, Eagles brings together all children and young people from all different cultural background but mainly the South Sudanese community for high performance basketball training. These children and young people play for various clubs and teams around Canberra. Several Eagles have gone on to play professionally and internationally. The South Sudanese migrant experience in Australia is especially challenging. Many families have experienced trauma in South Sudan. Here in Canberra, many parents face the challenges of supporting their children’s education without having received an education themselves, and meeting living costs with minimal financial resources.

    To support the Eagles and their families, Garang Kuer Bul has developed a program called PAMA (Perspectives And Mindsets Alignment). This Education program is part of PAMA Solution.

Our People


  • Young Citizen of the Year - Personal Achievement Award 2011

    Garang Kuer Bul’s journey is indeed inspiring and impactful. His dedication to the South Sudanese community and Australian society is evident through his numerous roles and achievements.

    Garang Kuer Bul received the Personal Achievement Award in 2011 as the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year. His dedication and impact were recognised by the Canberra community, and in 2012, he was commended for his individual community services, further highlighting his commitment to making a difference to date.

    At the South Sudanese Anglican Ministry (SSAM), Dinka congregation, Garang served as the Former Secretary and Youth Ministry Chairman for several years. His involvement in church leadership demonstrates his commitment to fostering spiritual growth and community engagement. Beyond his youth leadership roles, Garang served as the SSAM Ministry’s Synod Representative at the Diocese of Goulburn and Canberra and Gospel Teacher at his local church.

    Garang Kuer Bul founded, co-founded several youth organisations aimed at addressing challenges faced by young people and the community. His contributions extended to national youth events, where he played an active role in organising and promoting positive experiences for young individuals.

    As the Secretary and Co-founder of the South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association (SSANBA), Garang contributed significantly to the growth and development of basketball within the South Sudanese community in Australia.

    At his local program, where he served as the Chair, Founder, and Coach of the Eagles Sports Association’s Basketball, Garang played a pivotal role in promoting sports, teamwork, education, and physical well-being.

    Garang was a member and former Secretary of Twic East Youth Association, demonstrating his commitment to community building and youth empowerment within the ethnic group he hails from.

    He founded The PAMA – Perspective And Mindset Alignment, an initiative focused on shaping perspectives and mindsets. This organisation aims to inspire positive change and personal growth.

    Garang’s cultural contributions extend beyond community service and sports. His involvement as a traditional singer and cultural educator highlights his commitment to preserving heritage and identity.

    Garang’s journey exemplifies resilience, leadership, and a deep sense of purpose. His impact resonates across communities and generations


  • NBL - Professional Basketball Athlete

    Bul Kuol has been instrumental in our success through his unwavering support for the Eagles program, serving has deputy Chair and Partner in the program. He has provided valuable advice, leadership, mentored young people, offered financial assistance, and coached with dedication. Bul is a remarkable young man with a big heart, known for his faith, commitment, and loyalty. He genuinely cares about the wellbeing of our youth and is committed to making a positive impact in any way he can.

    Bul’s contributions to the wider Australian basketball community include organising basketball clinics in Canberra to inspire young players, serving as a role model through his journey from a refugee camp to professional basketball, actively engaging with the community by sharing his story, and representing South Sudan in international competitions like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

    Bul is currently playing in the NBL for the Sydney Kings and is one of the best 3 pointers and defensive machine. His basketball career milestones include being named the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2022 with the Cairns Taipans, earning third-team All-Horizon League honours in 2021 during his college career at the University of Detroit Mercy, leading Lake Ginninderra Secondary College to back-to-back Australian Schools Championships, and representing South Sudan in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

    Bul Kuol’s basketball career started with the Eagles Basketball in 2009 after moving to Australia at the age of nine in 2006 and growing up in Canberra. He played college basketball at California Baptist University and the University of Detroit Mercy. Bul Kuol’s journey from a refugee to a professional athlete is a testament to his resilience and determination, and he continues to inspire aspiring athletes with his story and achievements

Meet the team

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