SUVA (Fiji) - Basketball Fiji is strengthening community connection and expanding opportunities for young people of all abilities through its Basketball For Good program - Hoops for Equality, an initiative supported by the FIBA Foundation and Team Up.
The program is built on a simple but powerful belief: that every child deserves a safe, welcoming space to play, learn, and belong. Across Fiji, the initiative is creating environments where participants can build confidence, develop new skills, and experience the joy of being part of a team, regardless of their background or ability.
At the heart of the program is a commitment to inclusion.
Coaches and volunteers are trained to deliver sessions that prioritise encouragement, adaptability, and positive engagement, ensuring that every participant can take part at their own pace. This approach reflects the FIBA Foundation’s global mission to use basketball as a tool for social impact and aligns with Team Up’s focus on strengthening community‑driven sport programs throughout the Pacific. Together, these partnerships provide the resources, training, and long‑term support needed to ensure the program continues to grow sustainably.
Basketball Fiji Chief Operating Officer, William Peter said that coordinating basketball programs throughout all communities will underpin the next generation of social change.
“Hoops for Equality is about more than participation,” Mr Peter said.
It’s about empowering every community in Fiji to feel seen, valued, and included. When young people step onto the court, they gain confidence, they build friendships, and they learn that their voice matters.
"With the support of the FIBA Foundation and TeamUp, we’re using basketball as a platform for positive messaging and long‑term social change across the country.”
The impact of the program is already visible in communities across Fiji.
Participants are developing greater self‑esteem, improving their communication and teamwork skills, and forming friendships that extend beyond the court. Families and caregivers are becoming more engaged in community activities, creating stronger support networks around young people.
Coaches are gaining new knowledge and confidence through inclusive coaching training, helping build local capacity and ensuring the program’s benefits continue well into the future. These outcomes reflect broader regional findings that inclusive sport programs contribute to improved wellbeing, stronger social cohesion, and greater resilience among youth.
For Basketball Fiji, the program is part of a wider commitment to using basketball as a platform for positive change. Alongside youth leadership initiatives, women’s development programs, and community outreach activities, Hoops for Equality reinforces the organisation’s vision of making basketball accessible to everyone. With the support of the FIBA Foundation and Team Up, Basketball Fiji is creating pathways that allow young people to feel valued, connected, and empowered through sport.
About FIBA Foundation
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.
About Team Up
The Team Up Program, an Australian Government initiative, has been a crucial catalyst for this success. By providing support and resources, Team Up empowers Basketball Fiji to deliver high-quality basketball development programs that are making a real difference in people's lives. These programs not only teach fundamental basketball skills but also promote important life skills, healthy lifestyles, gender equality messaging while contributing to inclusive communities.
Basketball Fiji is proudly supported by the Australian Government through Team Up, and PacificAus Sports, through the PacificAus Sports Women in Basketball Program. Their support is vital in fostering the growth of basketball in the region and empowering grassroots initiatives.