Meet Joel Khalu

Founder & Creator of Opportunities

Joel Khalu, a proud North Queenslander, was born in Gimuy (Cairns) and raised on Yidinji Country in the city’s south. Coming from a richly diverse and multicultural background, Joel traces his heritage to 15 distinct ethnic origins from around the globe.

His early work career took him into remote Indigenous communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait. In 2006, Joel founded the Hoop Dreaming Project —a visionary initiative that used basketball as a vehicle to support and empower young people in areas such as education, employment and health.

Initially launched under the National Community Crime Prevention Programme, the Hoop Dreaming Project gained national recognition for its creative, community-driven approaches to addressing youth and social challenges in Far North Queensland.

Through dynamic events and grassroots activations, the project integrated mentorship and role models to promote active, healthy and crime-free lifestyles. At its core, the HDP aimed to inspire young people to set meaningful goals, develop pride in their communities and build essential character traits like resilience, integrity and self-respect.

Although the Hoop Dreaming Project wrapped up in 2009, Joel has continued to support and uplift others through a range of professional and volunteer roles over the past 15 years.

Today, he brings a broad and adaptable skill set to Hoop Dreaming, delivering tailored services to businesses, government agencies, community groups, NGOs, individuals and sports organisations.

"A true leader inspires thought, uplifts the spirit and invites others to walk beside them."

- JOEL KHALU

 Leadership & Awards.

• FIBA International Coach & Presenter, and member of the World Association of Basketball Coaches

• Assistant Coach for the Illawarra Hawks, securing the 2025 NBL Championship after a semi-final appearance in 2024

• Head Coach of the Mackay Meteors, winning the 2024 and 2021 NBL1 North Championships, the 2020 CQ Cup, the 2015 QBL Title and finishing as QBL runners-up in 2014

• Assistant Coach for the Australian Emus Junior National Team, claiming Gold Medals at the 2024 Under-18 FIBA Asia Cup in Jordan and the 2023 Under-17 FIBA Oceania Championships in Papua New Guinea

• Head Coach for the Jr. NBA Asia-Pacific Team and Lead Coach at the 2022 & 2023 Jr. NBA Camps held in Australia

• Coach at the 2022 NBA & FIBA Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp held in Australia

• Head Coach of the Papua New Guinea Men’s National Team from 2013 to 2019, winning the Gold Medal at the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup and leading the team to 4th place at the 2015 & 2019 FIBA Pacific Games

• Head Coach of the Australian Indigenous Basketball Men’s National Team from 2014 to 2019, securing victories in the 2019 International Indigenous Basketball & Cultural Showcase against the Kingdom of Hawai’i and the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Trans-Tasman Basketball Series against the New Zealand Maori Aotearoa National Team

• Head Coach of the Queensland Under-20 Men’s State Team, winning a Gold Medal at the 2022 Australian Junior Championships and a Silver Medal in 2014

• NBL1 North Men’s Coach of the Year (2024 & 2022)

• NQ Sportstar Awards, Service to Sport Award Finalist (2023)

• Mackay Basketball NBL1 Club Person of the Year (2022)

• Queensland Basketball League Coach of the Year (2015)

• Queensland Sport & Active Recreation Ambassador (2019-2021)

• White Ribbon Australia Ambassador (2016-2018)

• Mackay Regional Council Sports Administrator Award (2016)

• Basketball Queensland Administrator of the Year (2015)

• Spinal Injuries Australia, Inclusive Community Champion Award (2014)

• Mackay Sport Star Awards, Sports Administrator of the Year (2012)

• Queensland Cancer Council Hope Ambassador (2011-2015)

• Queensland Premier’s Award, Indigenous Youth Leadership (2005)

• Queensland Academy of Sport, NITP Coach Commitment & Excellence Award (2005)

• Waukesha Technical College, Outstanding Student Award and Graduation Speaker (2004)

• Waukesha Technical College, Foundations of Teacher Education Program Award (2004)

• Inducted into Phi-Theta-Kappa International Honour Society & National Technical Honour Society (2004)

• Member of the National Dean’s List, The National Chancellor’s List & Distinctive Honour Roll (2004)

• NCSL Student Leader & attended the National Conference of Leadership in Washington D.C (2003)

• Waukesha Technical College, Student Government Association Vice-President of Social Activities (2003-2004)

• QRU Group Training Company, Sport & Recreation Outstanding Achievement Award (1998)