SUVA (Fiji) – The future of basketball in the Oceania region is looking brighter than ever as the FIBA Youth Leaders Program gears up to empower the next generation of leaders.
Aligning with FIBA's strategic priority of Youth Development, the core focus of the program is to facilitate youth development on, and off the court for participants to take back to their National Federations and deliver a Basketball for Good project in their communities.
“We are thrilled to once again roll out the latest edition of our global youth leadership program,” FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said.
“The program will equip participants with the tools to use basketball to create a positive impact within their communities. We believe that this program plays an important role in shaping future basketball leaders and helping empower our national federations.”
The following participants will take part in the 2025 FIBA Youth Leaders in Oceania:
2025 Participants |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Cook Islands | Brianna Lewis |
|
Fiji | Ranadi Koroi | Matai Taito |
Fiji | Lice Ravai | Tyrone Mclennan |
Marshall Islands | Christin Batol | AJ Ivan Kaneko |
Micronesia | Arlyn Edwin | Elias David |
New Caledonia | Kaidine Manon | Tui Yael |
New Zealand | Bridget Marston | Isaiah Smiler |
Northern Mariana Islands | Sylvina Simram |
|
Papua New Guinea | Michaelyn Ham | Simon Wae |
Samoa | Puanani Pauga | Ryan Pala |
Solomon Islands | Wainita Kausua | Fitzgerald Dausabea |
Vanuatu | Tania Bourgeois | Terence Coleman |
The 2025 edition of the program will feature four online sessions followed by a five-day workshop to be held in Suva, Fiji thanks to the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), underscoring the collaborative effort to invest in the region's youth.
The online modules will provide a foundational understanding of key leadership principles and practical skills. Participants will engage with experienced facilitators and guest presenters, delving into topics ranging from program management and communication skills to diversity and inclusion, and leveraging social media for positive impact and event creation.
This online phase serves as a vital prelude to the immersive in-person workshop in Fiji. There, participants will have the opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge, network with peers from different nations, and further develop their leadership capabilities in a collaborative environment.
Last held in 2023, in New Zealand, this will be the third time the program has been conducted in the region following the programs debut in 2016.
The FIBA Youth Leaders Program in Oceania represents a significant step towards fostering a sustainable future for basketball in the region.
About FIBA Youth Leaders
The FIBA Foundation’s Youth Leadership program is a global Basketball For Good initiative giving youths the skills and opportunities to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. The Youth Leaders are supported to create their own community impact project, growing the Basketball For Good family worldwide.
About MFAT
MFAT is New Zealand's link to the world, shaping foreign policy, trade, and providing development support, especially in the Pacific. They champion youth development and international cooperation for a better global future. With a commitment to youth development and regional partnerships, MFAT’s strategic objectives aligns with the FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders program goals of fostering leadership and creating positive social impact across the Pacific.