The Gap in Melbourne's Youth Basketball In Melbourne, most Rep teams and major basketball clubs don't open their doors until a child is 6 or 7 years old. This leaves parents of active 4-year-olds searching for quality programs that actually understand early childhood development. At First Pick Academy, we’ve turned this "gap" into a science.
The Science: Why We Don't Just Teach Basketball A 4-year-old isn't ready for a full-court game, but they are in the "Golden Window" for neural development. This is why we created the U5/Toddler Coordination Lab. Our physio-led curriculum uses the 5+3 System to focus on the three essential neural pillars:
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Reaction: Training the brain to process signals faster.
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Coordination: Building the hand-eye pathways that traditional clubs ignore.
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Balance: Ensuring a stable foundation to prevent future sports injuries.
Why "5+3" Neural Development Matters More Than Scoring Parents often ask us: "Why not just play basketball?" The answer is simple: if you train the skill without training the nervous system, you hit a plateau. Our lab in Box Hill, Clayton, Manningham, and Wheelers Hill ensures that by the time your child turns 7, they aren't just starting—they are already years ahead of their peers.
Term 1 for 2026 officially started on February 1st, but we are keeping our trial spots open for a few more days for our Grow & Go programs. Don't wait three years for a big club to say "Yes." Give your child the scientific advantage today.
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