What Sydney Parents Say

"James has been coaching my 12 year old daughter for two terms and has already made a real difference to her confidence and skills. He is genuinely invested in her development and takes the time to support her growth on the court. That care shows clearly in the way she plays now, with more confidence, consistency and belief in herself."

"James has been a wonderful basketball coach for my son and his team over the past few years. We have found James to be super encouraging and motivating and it's really helped develop my son's confidence. He has a great balance of teaching discipline whilst also keeping the game fun and engaging."

"James is an excellent coach. He is wonderful with kids and knows how to teach them and motivate them. Our son thrived under his guidance and really developed as a player. James is knowledgeable, experienced and kind. He is our son's favourite coach. I would recommend him to any parents or teams looking to further develop in basketball."

"My son has been taught by James over the last five years in a variety of different settings, ranging from private lessons, to group skills coaching and team training for the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association. From young beginners on their first dribbling drills to guiding a team through challenging technical concepts, James displays a strong depth and breadth of knowledge, and conveys it to his students in an empathetic manner. A through-line in James' coaching is self-sufficiency: getting the student to think through their basketball challenges and guiding them to a solution, rather than giving the answer, or drill, or technique change upfront. This methodology has helped my son be a more rounded basketball player (and a more thoughtful kid). I thoroughly recommend James to raise your child's, or your game."

"Coach James has not only helped my daughters improve their basketball skills, but also instilled confidence, discipline and a strong sense of teamwork. His coaching style is encouraging and highly motivating, creating an environment where students feel supported while still being challenged to grow. With his help, Kelly has improved significantly in her team performance this term and Ruby has become a crucial part of her team."

"My boys in year 5 and year 7 have been training with Coach James in both private and team basketball training for several months now. Coach James is very capable of structuring the training sessions tailored to the boys' developmental needs. Timely feedback during the game, training or encouragement afterwards are always there. While being passionate to the game with good energy, he is composed and always presented himself in a calm manner. In short, Coach James is fantastic and will help aspiring basketball players to approach the game in the right way."

"We've had a fantastic experience with Inner Game Basketball and Coach James, the owner. Both of my sons have been training with him for a term now and will definitely continue. My older son also attended basketball camp during school holidays with James and absolutely loved it. It's been great to see how engaged and excited he is after each session. Coach James brings so much passion and energy to the game and it really shows in the way he runs his program. He creates a positive, encouraging environment while still focusing on skill development and improvement. Highly recommend Inner Game Basketball for any kids who want to build confidence, skills and a genuine love for the game."

"My son had an absolute blast at basketball! He came home buzzing with excitement and hasn't stopped talking about it. He can't wait to come back — already asking when the next session is. Highly recommend!"

"My son had a wonderful time at Inner Game Basketball holiday camp. He had a blast AND he is now more focused on improving his skills. Thanks James!"

"My sons (aged 5 and 8) have loved their first term at Inner Game Basketball. They have thrived in the supportive environment created by James. Each training session is geared towards teaching the boys the fundamentals of the sport whilst having fun at the same time."

"James has coached my son's team for over a year, and the transformation has been incredible. When he started, the team struggled in a lower division and lacked enjoyment; now they're competing at a higher division, winning games, and playing with confidence and enthusiasm. His structured training has built both individual skills and strong teamwork, introducing effective defensive systems and attacking plays. Beyond basketball, James is a true professional and an exceptional person. He connects extremely well with players and parents, and helps the kids develop important life skills like confidence and resilience. I can honestly say that having James as coach has made a huge positive impact both on and off the court Thank you James and keep up the great work!"

"Having Coach James as my coach was definitely one of the best things that ever happened to my basketball journey. Over the years, I've had many coaches who helped me grow and develop my skills, but none had a more significant impact as Coach James. What I loved most about his approach was that he didn't focus on whether the shot went in or not, his priority was always on developing good form and technique. Once you mastered one skill, he would make it more challenging so that you were continually improving. Thanks to Coach James, I grew into a more confident and well-rounded player who wasn't afraid to take on challenges and step outside my comfort zone. He didn't just teach me how to play better; he taught me how to believe in myself and always push past my limits."