Jarvis

Jarvis' passion is basketball, and the 14-year-old's dream is to one day make it to the NBL, where he hopes to proudly represent his culture by flying the Indigenous flag high.

“I don’t think that I have ever loved something so much,” Jarvis said.

“These past few years, basketball has taught me so much about myself and I don't know where I would be without it today,” he said.

“The one thing that I most enjoy about basketball is the work, well most people would think not, it is my favourite part about it.”

“Waking up at four in the morning, going to practice, hitting the weight room and doing skill work is the best thing ever.”

“I have also made some great friendships from this sport that will last a long time,” he said.

Being selected to play for the Newcastle Falcons has been a huge achievement for Jarvis, and it is one he has worked incredibly hard for. Every morning, he is up at 4am to train before heading to school and then to team practice later in the day. His determination and focus have already set him apart as someone with big potential.

Jarvis’s parents, Mel and Rob, could not be prouder. They describe him as a role model for other young kids in sport; someone who shows that with commitment and hard work, you can achieve your dreams no matter where you start.

“As parents, we could not be prouder watching Jarvis follow his passion. Seeing him work so hard and stay dedicated to what he loves reminds us every day how determined and grounded he is,” they said.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see him growing not just as an athlete, but as a young man chasing his dreams with heart and purpose,” they said.

Despite their current cost of living challenges, the family always cheer each other on. Mel says the scholarship has lifted a weight off their shoulders and helped ensure Jarvis can keep playing at a high level without worrying about the costs.

“The Grow a Star Scholarship has made a real difference by easing the financial strain of training, travel, and equipment costs. It has allowed our child to stay focused on their goals without us having to constantly weigh up what we can afford,” Jarvis’s parents said.

Jarvis’s goal is clear, to one day make it to the NBL with his dream team, the Sydney Kings, and show other young Indigenous kids that “you can do it too”.