If you’ve dropped into RecWest Braybrook lately, you might’ve seen a high-performance training session underway. The Boomerangs are in the building.
When Ryan Holloway joined the Y 16 years ago, he brought his passion for community and sport with him. Ryan is the Head Coach of Australia’s national men’s basketball team for players with intellectual disability, the Boomerangs. It’s a role he does in his own time, and finds it rewarding on many levels.
“This is High Performance sport, but it’s also about belonging, belief and providing opportunities,” Ryan said. “It aligns really well with what we try and do at the Y.”
The Boomerangs are the reigning world champions, having gone 5-0 at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France and defeating Portugal 98–68 in the final. And now, they’re in full preparation mode for the 2025 World Championships in Kazakhstan, training at RecWest Braybrook.
"To be eligible for the team, athletes must be diagnosed with an intellectual disability before the age of 22, typically indicated by an IQ below 75, along with additional challenges such as cognitive, behavioural, or social impairments," Ryan explained. "This can include challenges with social cues, or day to day tasks as reading and writing, among others. But make no mistake—these are incredibly skilled and dedicated athletes who show remarkable teamwork and commitment."
The program is largely self-funded, with players contributing roughly $5,000-$7,500 each depending on the tournament. Every training camp runs into the thousands. It’s an enormous commitment, and one Ryan doesn’t take lightly.
“It's an exciting program, which traditionally hasn’t had a lot of light on shone on it,” Ryan said. “But this felt like the right time to link in and showcase what’s happening.”
Since 2024, we’ve provided access to RecWest YMCA facilities for their high-performance training camps. It’s one small way we can back the team and back our people to support their passion.
Three more camps are scheduled at RecWest before the team departs in June. We’ll be cheering them on. And proud that one of our own is leading from the front.
Follow their journey and stay updated here.
