Meet Joel Khalu

Founder | Coach | Leader | Consultant | Community Advocate

Joel Khalu is a proud North Queenslander, 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.

After graduating from college in the United States with a degree in Para-Education, Joel's early career took him into remote Indigenous communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait, experiences that helped shape his belief in the power of sport to connect people, create opportunity and strengthen communities.

In 2006, he founded the Hoop Dreaming Project, an initiative that used basketball as a vehicle to support and empower young people through education, employment, health and positive lifestyle choices.

Initially launched through the National Community Crime Prevention Programme, the project gained national recognition for its creative, community-driven approach to addressing youth and social challenges across Far North Queensland. Through basketball, mentorship and positive role models, Hoop Dreaming encouraged young people to set meaningful goals, take pride in their communities and develop qualities such as resilience, integrity and self-respect.

While the original Hoop Dreaming Project concluded in 2009, its purpose has continued to shape Joel's work ever since.

Over more than 25 years across elite sport, community development and executive leadership, Joel has built a career centred on developing people, building strong cultures and creating meaningful impact. His experience spans professional and international basketball, CEO and General Manager roles, community development, coach education, leadership and high-performance environments.

Today, Hoop Dreaming brings those experiences together.

Working across sport, business, education, government and community, Joel draws on the principles and lessons of high-performance sport to help develop leaders, build high-performing cultures and strengthen communities.

At its heart, the purpose remains the same as when Hoop Dreaming began:

Elevate the game, on and off the court.

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

- JOEL KHALU

 Leadership.

• FIBA International Coach & Presenter - Member of the World Association of Basketball Coaches.

• Associate Head Coach, Illawarra Hawks – Joined the club during NBL24 and helped secure the 2025 NBL Championship following a 2024 semi-final appearance.

• Head Coach, Cairns Marlins – Guided the team to a perfect 16-0 regular season record, becoming the first undefeated men’s team in NBL1 history.

• Head Coach, Mackay Meteors – Led the team to NBL1 North titles in 2024 and 2021, the 2020 CQ Cup, the 2015 QBL Championship and a runner-up finish in 2014.

• Assistant Coach, Australian Emus – Coached the junior national team to 6th place at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup (Switzerland) and Gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup (Jordan) & 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championships (PNG).

• Head Coach, Jr. NBA Asia-Pacific Team – Led the team and served as Lead Coach at the 2022 & 2023 Jr. NBA Camps in Australia.

• Coach, NBA & FIBA Basketball Without Borders Asia (2022) – Participated in elite development camp held in Canberra, Australia.

• Head Coach, Papua New Guinea Men’s National Team (2013–2019) – Captured Gold at the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Cup; placed 4th at the 2015 and 2019 FIBA Pacific Games.

• Head Coach, Australian Indigenous Men’s National Team (2014–2019) – Achieved wins at the 2019 International Indigenous Showcase and four consecutive Trans-Tasman Series (2015–2018).

• Head Coach, Queensland U20 Men’s Team (2013-2014 & 2022-2023) – Won Gold at the 2022 Australian Junior Championships and Silver in 2014.