Hoops and Cookies: Casey Business Awards 2026 - Excellence in Community and Partnership Finalist

Hoops & Cookies began around Jay Brown’s kitchen table, baking cookies at home to help fund his children’s basketball journey. 

While the Cranbourne-based business is known for its delicious sweet treats, including cookie bars, cinnamon scrolls, hot desserts and real fruit ice cream, its purpose has always extended far beyond hospitality. 

Hoops & Cookies was founded on a simple belief: business should create opportunities that strengthen people, businesses and communities 

Jay uses his business as a platform not only to financially support young basketballers, but also to strengthen local partnerships and contribute to a more connected and resilient Casey community. 

Through the 1 of 1 Collective social entrepreneurship initiative, Hoops & Cookies partners with educational institutions to connect students with authentic business experiences. Rather than simulating business in a classroom, students create their own brands, produce retail-ready personalised hoodies, engage with real customers and support charities they personally select. 

Hoops & Cookies partnership with local schools have strengthened connections between education and industry, while work placement opportunities for students have helped young people develop workplace skills, confidence and employment readiness. 

Looking to the future, Hoops & Cookies aims to establish a creative and production hub where hospitality, basketball, education and entrepreneurship come together. It will be a place where students learn through real-world experiences, entrepreneurs launch new ventures, athletes find community, and local businesses can grow and collaborate. 

Congratulations to Hoops & Cookies on being named a finalist in the Excellence in Community and Partnership Award.