HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - The FIBA World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC) continued its mission to elevate coaching standards across the Oceania region with a recent Level 1 coaching course held in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Delivered by FIBA WABC Coach Instructor, Caleb Harrison in partnership with PacificAus Sports, Olympic Solidarity, Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee and Solomon Islands Basketball Federation, the program brought together emerging coaches from the region to build capability, strengthen national systems, and support long‑term basketball development.
The course forms part of FIBA’s global strategy to Empower National Federations through sustainable coach education. By equipping local coaches with the technical knowledge, teaching tools, and leadership skills needed to guide players at every stage of the pathway, WABC helps ensure that basketball development in Oceania remains community‑driven, resilient, and future‑focused. This was the first combined regional training opportunity bringing together participants from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
For many participants, the course offered a new learning experience. Solomon Islands Coach Winnie Laora and current national player said the program reshaped how she approaches youth development.
“Being part of this program means so much to me as a coach,” Ms Laora said.
“Working with young players, I’ve learned how important it is to adjust our coaching to the age and stage of the athletes. This course helped me understand how to teach at the right level so our players can grow with confidence.”
From Papua New Guinea, Fernnimore Gomia highlighted how the course strengthened her understanding of planning and long‑term development.
“The level of learning here has been higher than anything I’ve experienced before,” Ms Gomia said.
“One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of planning and setting clear goals as a coach. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned back to my community and share it with other coaches who are also trying to grow in the sport.”
The WABC Level 1 Course is a cornerstone of FIBA’s commitment to building sustainable basketball ecosystems. In regions like Oceania, where geography, resources, and access can be challenging, coach education plays a critical role in ensuring that every National Federation can deliver quality programs and create strong pathways for players and officials.
WABC President Patrick Hunt emphasized the importance of this work to underpin global objectives in coach education.
“Coach development is one of the most powerful ways we can support National Federations,” Hunt said.
“When we invest in coaches, we invest in the long‑term health of the sport. WABC courses help build local expertise, strengthen community programs, and create sustainable systems that will benefit basketball across Oceania for years to come.”
Beyond technical skills, the course also fostered collaboration among coaches from different Oceania nations. Participants shared experiences, exchanged ideas, and built relationships that will continue to strengthen the regional coaching network.
By empowering coaches to return home and lead within their communities, the WABC program helps ensure that the impact of each course extends far beyond the classroom or the court. It becomes part of a wider movement to elevate basketball across the region, one coach, one team, and one community at a time.
To find out more about the WABC, click here.
FIBA
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.