GOLD COAST (Australia) – On International Women's Day, FIBA in Oceania recognises the incredible potential of 15 rising leaders in the region, welcoming them to the 2025 edition of the Women's Leadership Program - WiLEAD.
Reinforcing FIBA's commitment to the elevation of female participation, and engagement in basketball, WiLEAD is a bespoke program directly aligned with FIBA's Strategic Priority - Women in Basketball. WiLEAD offers a comprehensive development pathway, focusing on enhancing skills in basketball administration, leadership, and program development. This initiative is more than just a training program; it's a catalyst for change, aiming to create a ripple effect of empowerment throughout the region's basketball community.
"We aim to empower women in basketball across the region in as many ways as we can," said FIBA Executive Director - Oceania, Amanda Jenkins. "WiLEAD provides the perfect opportunity to provide women in the Oceania region with the necessary tools, knowledge, and connections to explore their leadership qualities to further support their National Federations and basketball communities with guidance and development opportunities. Having the support of PacificAus Sports to deliver Women in Basketball program such of this is a game-changer for our region."
2025 Participants
National Federation | Participant Name |
|---|---|
AUS | Sarah Gersbach |
AUS | Dominique Holland |
FIJ | Moana Liebregts |
NCL | Mahina Crutz |
NCL | Natsumi Wainebengo |
NMI | Michelle Kautz |
NZL | Meaghan Wilby |
NZL | Lauren Fitzgerald |
PNG | Hannah Kuwimb |
PNG | Kathy Araea |
SOL | Joycelyn Basia |
SOL | Gloria Hong |
SOL | Sarah Gale |
VAN | Mildred Izono |
VAN | Christina Bare-Karae |
The program's structure is meticulously crafted to provide a holistic learning experience. Participants will engage in online learning modules featuring keynote speakers and educators, offering insights and knowledge from industry leaders. This will be followed by an intensive three-day in-person workshop, fostering collaboration and practical skill development. The program culminates in an internship placement, providing real-world experience and networking opportunities.
The WiLEAD program is set to empower women like Moana Liebregts from Fiji, who dreams of creating pathways for girls in her country to experience the joy of basketball. "Basketball is still a male-dominated sport, and I believe that WiLEAD will provide me with the necessary tools to foster more inclusive basketball communities across the Fiji Islands, where girls can thrive and embrace the game," Ms Liebregts said.
WiLEAD in Oceania is supported by Team Up and PacificAus Sports, and underscores the commitment to developing pathways for women in sports and igniting a movement where women are not just participants, but drivers of progress in Oceania's sporting landscape
## About PacificAus Sports
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program supports a range of Pacific sports, including basketball, rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women and men. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’.
The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.