ABOUT US
Where Dreams Take Flight on and off the Court.
WILLIE.
Willie Jennette, the driving force behind Wings Basketball Academy, grew up in Aurora, North Carolina, in a family passionate about sports. Trying his hand at various sports, he found his true love in basketball at the age of 8.
After a stellar high school career he received numerous scholarship offers from the likes of East Carolina University. Willie chose NCCU as it had prestigious and notable sporting Alumni such as Hall of Fame coach John McLendon.
Following college, Willie embarked on an international basketball journey, playing professionally for over 16 years. After an outstanding season in South America, his basketball journey then bought him to his second stop, Australia. It was here that Willie simply fell in love with our country, the people, the food, the language. He quickly got settled and refocused on building his basketball career down under.
Willie played professionally for 16 years in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Tasmania and won MVPs and Coach of the year honours.
Accolades:
The Woollcott Medal in Adelaide, 1990
MVP Noarlunga City Tigers 1990-1993
MVP Mt.Gambier Pioneers 1991
MVP Albany Raiders 1996
MVP Bulleen Boomers 1989
MVP Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata,
2010 Women’s Premier League Coach of the year at Southern Tigers
STRAUN.
Straun Morter-Grant, has a passion for shaping young athletes both on and off the court. With over a decade of coaching experience, his expertise lies in nurturing talent and instilling a love for the game in his players.
Off the court, Straun is a dedicated family man, finding joy in his role as a husband and father of five. This personal connection serves as the driving force behind his commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment for his players.
For Straun, basketball is more than just a sport; it's a platform for social change and empowerment. He believes in providing equal opportunities for all children to participate in athletics, using his coaching skills to inspire and uplift young athletes to reach their full potential.
Experience:
Wings Basketball Academy Coach, 2018 - Current
Wings Basketball Academy CFO, 2023 - Current
Western Magic Basketball Club Treasurer, 2024 - Current
Norwood Flames Coach, 2014 - 2020
WINGS ACADEMY.
Welcome to The Wings Basketball Academy, where we provide a dynamic platform for athletes aged 4-18 to hone their skills and compete at various levels, from beginners to elite.
Our comprehensive year-round training program is designed to nurture talent and instill a passion for basketball. At the Wings Basketball Academy, players undergo rigorous training in an academy setting, preparing them for local competitions and district trials.
In a significant milestone, our Academy made its debut in 2018, triumphing over under14 Div 2 level players by clinching the Bearcats Carnival Grand Final against the Southern Tigers. Since then, our Academy has experienced exponential growth, expanding from a solitary team to an impressive 30+ teams, comprising both elite and novice players, all within a span of just over 5 years. To achieve this remarkable growth, we are proud to offer district-level coaching provided by accredited state and high school coaches, boasting qualifications ranging from level 0 to 3.
Our coaching team brings extensive experience in youth sports development, and training sessions are available Monday through Sunday, with games scheduled for Saturdays. Our aim is to produce players with technical level knowledge, high basketball IQ and a genuine passion for the sport.
Join us at The Wings Basketball Academy, where we are committed to developing not only skilled athletes but also individuals with a deep understanding of the game and a genuine desire to contribute to the sport. Let's soar to new heights together!
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