Tim Coenraad and his Illawarra teammates are proving that when it comes to giving back to the community, the Hawks aren't just "throwing basketballs around".

Coenraad has been visiting Oak Flats Primary School over the past month, speaking to students and educating them about healthy living.

The weekly sessions are a popular feature of the Hawks' Adopt-a-School program, which is supported by Bendigo Bank's Oak Flats and Shellharbour Community Branches.

Coenraad cherished his time with the Oak Flats kids and hopes to inspire a new bunch of eager listeners at Albion Park Primary School.

"A healthy lifestyle, nutrition and exercise are all huge passions of mine and I'm excited to get out and share that with the students," Coenraad, 30, said.

"We want to do more than just show up and throw basketballs around. We are role models in the community, so it's important we are out in the community helping educate and inspire young kids."

The Hawks will return to Oak Flats Primary on Saturday at 11.30am to take part in Adopt-a-School celebrations.

Keen youngsters have the opportunity to take part in basketball games and other activities with Hawks players.

On Sunday, the Hawks will travel to Nowra for a trial game against the Adelaide 36ers.

Last weekend they flew to Cairns and showed signs of promise in two narrow trial losses to the Taipans.

Illawarra's opening game of the 2015-16 NBL season is on the road against Melbourne, while their first home game is against New Zealand on October 14.