Behind the Design: An Interview with Stuart Boyle, Lead Engineer of Infinet
When you walk onto an outdoor basketball court, the first thing you often notice isn’t the surface, the lines, or even the backboard. It’s the hoop - and whether it has a net. For too long, players across schools and public parks have been left shooting on bare rings or dangerous, deteriorated nets. Infinet was designed to change that.
We sat down with Stuart Boyle, Senior Product Design Engineer and co-creator of Infinet, to talk about the journey from idea to invention, the latest durability testing, and why this Melbourne-made product is now gaining global attention.
Stuart Boyle, Senior Product Design Engineer at Infinet (Industrial By Nature).
Q: Stuart, where did the idea for Infinet come from?
Stuart: I’ve been a Product Design Engineer for more than two decades, but I’ve also been a basketballer my whole life. Growing up, I’d play on courts where the nets were either badly frayed, tangled due to broken hoop links, or missing altogether. These scenarios were much more common than playing on a net that was intact. The game loses something without the “swish.” It lacks a level of emotion or connection to that court.
The idea for Infinet came from a simple question: what if we could design a net that lasts longer, feels right, and is safe? From there, it became a matter of applying engineering principles and thinking outside the box to solve a problem every player understands.
Designing the details that make the difference. Stuart Boyle, Lead Engineer, refining Infinet’s latest evolution from sketch to screen.
Q: What makes Infinet different from traditional rope or chain nets?
Stuart: The ultimate for any player is a well-maintained traditional net on your local court, but this is not always an option for multiple reasons. Rope nets break down outdoors - UV damage, rain, ice and wear just ruin them quickly. If they’re not replaced regularly, they start to fray, and they begin to catch the ball momentarily as it passes, which in turn rips the net and quickly becomes a long, tangled piece of rope. This mess is now a perfect Tarzan swing for many children which puts them at risk, snaps hoop links and snowballs the problem. Chains go a long way to solving this issue, but once they rust and break down, the potential harm and risk to municipalities and schools increase exponentially.
Infinet is designed differently. Its fin structure guides the ball downward in a controlled way, delivering that satisfying feedback players love, without the risks. It’s tamper-resistant, climb-resistant, and made from UV-stabilised polymers and ultra heavy-duty steel components that can handle high-traffic use for years.
“Nothing beats a well-kept traditional net. But on public courts, that’s not always possible. Infinet keeps the game alive”
Q: You’ve recently completed durability testing. What did you find?
Stuart: We put Infinet through a series of independent tests - cycle endurance, load testing, strength tests, and climate resistance. The fins withstood the equivalent of more than 1,000,000+ swishes without failure. The hoop and ‘fins’ took loads far beyond anything a player could throw at it. And we’ve tested in extreme weather conditions to ensure it performs in snow, heat, and everything in between.
We’ve seen these results in local communities since its release three years ago, but it was important to us that we understood the true performance capabilities as our customer base grew beyond our shores. This confirms for us that Infinet isn’t just durable - it’s proven. That’s critical for schools, municipalities, and anyone worldwide investing in infrastructure that needs to last.
Q: Why is having a net so important?
Stuart: It might seem like a small detail, but the net is the soul of the game. It signals a successful shot, helps keep the rhythm of play, builds confidence and trains muscle memory at a much higher accuracy than shooting on a bare hoop. When it’s missing, the game feels incomplete - and worse, it sends a message that the court isn’t cared for. Nets increase the enjoyment of the game, and this is directly linked to the number of players drawn to utilise and connect at that court.
With Infinet, we’re giving players that feedback while also giving decision-makers peace of mind that the investment in a public space won’t fall apart in six months.
Q: Infinet is now expanding internationally. What’s driving that momentum?
Stuart: The feedback here in Australia has been incredible - schools, municipalities, and community organisations are installing Infinet because it solves real problems. That’s resonated globally too. We’ve had enquiries and orders from North America, Europe, and Asia.
I think what people see is that this is more than a product. It’s about making courts usable, safe, and inviting again. Getting the community out and enjoying the game we all love. The fact that it’s designed and manufactured in Melbourne, Australia, gives it a solid foundation, but the problem we’re solving is universal.
Q: What’s next for Infinet?
Stuart: We’re continuing to grow, refine, and share the story. Right now, we’re focused on scaling up production to meet international demand, and on working with schools and councils to help them secure funding and support for upgrades.
At the end of the day, the vision hasn’t changed: to make sure no player has to shoot on a silent bare hoop again.
We’re up to V4.0 but development is far from over. Infinet is dedicated to evolving and growing with players and organisations around the globe to increase the sustainability of all public courts. We’ve had so much input recently from basketball communities all over the world. I’m really excited to see what’s next for Infinet.
From local schoolyards to global courts, Infinet is proving that smart design can change the game. Built to last. Built to play.
To learn more or request a quote for your space, visit www.infinetbasketball.com
