MAJURO (Marshall Islands) - Basketball is more than just a sport in the Marshall Islands; it is a vital tool for community development and social change. The recent FIBA in-country workshops and clinics, in collaboration with the Marshall Islands Basketball Federation (MIBF), the Australian Embassy in the Republic of Marshall Islands and the Sport and Extracurricular Program (SEP), highlights the importance of fostering partnerships to support community development through basketball.
The community clinics conducted reached over 200 students,160 of those females, with 15 coaches and 12 referees participating in the educational workshops further enhancing community capacity through basketball.
FIBA's Strategic Priority: Empowering National Federations
FIBA's commitment to empowering national federations is a strategic priority that aims to build sustainable basketball programs worldwide. By focusing on foundational skills, coach and referee training, and community engagement, FIBA strive to assist national federations like the MIBF, to develop capacity, driving long-term growth and positive social change.
The initial phase of the program in the Marshall Islands, focused on building basketball skills among young participants and re-engaging the coach and referee community. This foundational work is crucial for sustaining the program's momentum and ensuring its long-term success.
"The ability to conduct workshops and community clinics throughout our national federations in the Oceania is pivotal to how we can effectively empower the basketball community, on and off the court," FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said. "This collaborative project with the Australian Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and other stakeholders, really strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful basketball programs.”
"We are incredibly passionate about basketball development in the region as we have witnessed how programs through Basketball For Good facilitate change and build a solid base for our member federations to achieve their strategic priorities.”
The Power of Partnerships
Collaborating with the Australian Embassy in the Marshall Islands through this opportunity was pivotal in supporting community development through basketball. This partnership bought together resources, expertise, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of young ballers, coaches and referees on island.
Paul Wilson, the Australian Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, emphasized the significance of these collaborations.
"Basketball programmes like this help grow and develop the Marshall Islands community," Ambassador Wilson said. "Basketball is a really important sport in the Marshall Islands, and certainly the most popular sport. Given how little land there is in this atoll country, basketball is a great opportunity because you can put a lot of courts in very small spaces, and there are courts everywhere. So, basketball is the right fit for an atoll country like the Marshall Islands, and it's also extremely popular."
The Australian Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands support for the program, alongside FIBA, MIBF, SEP, and other local partners, underscores the importance of basketball not just as a sport, but as a means of fostering community spirit and addressing broader social issues.
Addressing Social Challenges
Basketball programs in the Marshall Islands are designed to tackle significant social challenges, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Ambassador Wilson highlighted the role of basketball in encouraging good fitness habits early in life:
"Marshall Islands has a well-known problem with non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, and so programs like this that support basketball are generally about encouraging good fitness habits early in life, as this country tackles the very serious problems of non-communicable diseases."
Moreover, basketball serves as a platform for building community and strengthening social bonds. Team sports are essential for children's development in Marshall Islands and beyond, teaching them the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The program's focus on girls' participation also addresses gender-specific challenges, providing a safe and supportive environment for young girls to develop their skills and confidence.
The Marshall Islands Basketball For Good Programs will continue to be delivered over the next two years with the support of the Australian Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, SEP, MIBF, and FIBA.