Bahamas Basketball Federation benefits from a FIBA PLUS approach

MIES (Switzerland) - The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) is already seeing the benefits of a FIBA PLUS Project Planning online workshop that has helped underpin the future growth of grassroots basketball in the country.

The workshop is just one example of the exciting evolution of the FIBA PLUS program which is helping National Federations to develop strategies that increase their capacity to organize, professionalize and commercialize basketball activities, and is part of FIBA's strategic priority to Empower National Federations.

Harnessing the assistance of FIBA's specialists, the Bahamas Basketball Federation was able to undertake a special planning project across a six-week period that was completed 100 percent online for participants.

With an expressed desire to "change lives through basketball, island by island" the BBF has harnessed the FIBA PLUS program and its expertise to accelerate and realize its powerful vision.

The focus was primarily on the training of coaches at grassroots level, increasing basketball activities at schools, and the growth of 3x3 basketball participation from the U12 to U23 age groups.

The project planning phase has proven to be particularly vital. It involved key people from the Federation working in close collaboration with experts in the areas of grassroots development from both FIBA Headquarters and FIBA Americas.

The Federation and its members initially completed a situation analysis, considered recommendations, and have since been working on SMART objectives and action plans to make sure the project is successfully delivered. This has been closely monitored and fully supported by FIBA.

"The process of developing and launching the FIBA PLUS Program within the Bahamas Basketball Federation has been incredibly rewarding,"  explained Latoya Silver, the Secretary General of the Bahamas Basketball Federation.

"We spent considerable time in numerous meetings, carefully examining what would be suitable for our needs as a Federation and what it would take to execute it successfully. With guidance from the FIBA team at every stage, particularly in analyzing our action plan objectives, we were able to fine-tune a plan that truly reflects our vision.

"The BBF is extremely happy with the outcome and we're eager to continue working with FIBA to grow basketball throughout the Bahamas."

FIBA Executive Director Americas Carlos Alves added: "FIBA PLUS is a key program for empowering our National Federation members. We encourage them to utilize these available tools to accelerate the development and promotion of basketball within their communities."

FIBA