Start an Association with Us

Start an Association with Us

Becoming an affiliated association with Basketball NSW connects you with the wider basketball community across the state. You’ll get access to membership management systems, competition tools, best practice resources, and expert support to help you deliver great programs and competitions locally.

Before you begin, please get in touch with Basketball NSW. Affiliation as a member association is not automatic, and there are important steps to confirm first. Basketball NSW has over 80 affiliated member associations across NSW, each with allocated areas to operate in. To make sure your new association fits within our statewide structure, please contact us at info@bnsw.com.au before starting any registration or incorporation steps.

What you’ll need…

Starting a new association is straightforward, and we’ll help you every step of the way. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Decide to Incorporate – Your association must operate as an incorporated association under the NSW Incorporations Act. This means your group is its own legal entity, protecting members from personal liability and allowing you to enter contracts, open bank accounts, apply for funding, and more.
• Recruit a Committee – You’ll need at least five members to form your committee, including a Public Officer and a Board of Directors.
• Choose a Name – Your association’s name must reflect your purpose and your local area  and must end with Incorporated. Check name availability on the NSW Fair Trading website.
• Draft Your Constitution – You’ll need a simple set of rules and a clear purpose for your association. Don’t worry, we’ll provide you with a best practice template you can adapt.
• Hold a Public Meeting – Bring people together, confirm your members and committee, and formally agree to register.
• Register with NSW Fair Trading – We’ll help you lodge your application and get your official certificate.

Staying Compliant

Operating as an incorporated association means you must comply with the NSW Incorporations Act. This includes keeping your membership up to date, holding AGMs, and following good governance practices. We’ll help you understand what’s required so you can focus on growing basketball in your community.

How Basketball NSW Supports You

We’re here to help you build a strong, sustainable association. Here’s what we’ll provide:

• Guidance to set up your constitution and board roles.
• Templates and position descriptions.
• A database to manage memberships and competitions.
• Access to training and resources for your board, committees, coaches, and referees.
• Tools to help you find courts and grow your programs.
• Support to meet compliance requirements and apply for funding.
• A dedicated team to answer your questions at every step.

Next Steps

Email us today at info@bnsw.com.au and our team will help you take the first step.