"I was that kid": Cal Bruton on basketball, resilience and giving back

A first-hand knowledge of how basketball can transform lives inspired Bruton to form a foundation to help underprivileged kids

Image: supplied/Bruton Basketball Foundation

A list of all Cal Bruton’s achievements in basketball would run pages, but one of the honours he is most proud of is recently being one of the ACT’s nominees for Senior Australian of the Year for his work with Bruton Basketball Foundation.

“When you’re 71 years of age, you don’t expect it,” he laughs.

“I’ve had some success working with the young kids, particularly after I set up my foundation and started to move around the country. I’ve been very blessed to be able to go to every state and territory and to the remote areas, work with the disengaged and young disadvantaged indigenous kids.”

The foundation aims to help youth develop not just as basketballers, but as well-rounded people.

Its Basketball Lessons 4Life program offers mentoring for disadvantaged high school students to help them build confidence and succeed in education and in the workplace.