PORT VILA (Vanuatu) - In Port Vila, basketball is becoming more than a game, it’s a lifeline.
The Vanua Hoops Basketball for Good program is giving Vanuatu’s youth a reason to show up, suit up, and stay engaged. Over the next ten weeks, young people are trading boredom and risky choices for community, movement, and mentorship. At the heart of this initiative is Mildred Izono, an emerging leader whose vision is reshaping the future of sport in the Oceania region.
Vanua Hoops was born from Mildred’s participation in the Women in Basketball Leadership Project, a FIBA initiative supported by PacificAus Sports in the Oceania region. Her project proposal didn’t just tick boxes; it has sparked a movement.
“I wanted to create something that felt local, that gave our youth a sense of pride and purpose,” Mildred said. “Basketball is a tool, but the real goal is connection. We’re building futures, not just teams.”
The program’s launch marks a milestone for Vanuatu Basketball Federation (VBF), which has embraced the Basketball For Good framework to drive social impact. Vanua Hoops is the first of its kind in Vanuatu and is a powerful example of how women-led initiatives can transform communities.
Mildred’s leadership extends beyond the side lines. She recently coached the Vanuatu Women’s National Team at the FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup, guiding the squad through its historic debut. Her dual role as coach and program coordinator reflects a broader shift in the region, where women are not just participating, but leading.
FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins sees this as a direct result of strategic investment.
“The Women in Basketball Strategic Pillar is about more than representation, it’s about empowerment,” Ms Jenkins said. “We’re committed to supporting leaders like Mildred who are driving change at the grassroots level. Through our Empower National Federations strategy, we’re helping countries like Vanuatu build sustainable pathways for development, leadership, and impact.”
Vanua Hoops also reflects the broader ethos of the FIBA Foundation, which champions Basketball For Good globally. While the Foundation’s work often operates behind the scenes, its influence is felt in programs like this, where sport becomes a vehicle for education, inclusion, and resilience.
Vanua Hoops is a blueprint for what’s possible when sport is used intentionally. It’s not just about shooting hoops, it’s about showing up for youth, for women, and for the future of basketball in Vanuatu and across the Oceania region.
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 partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific 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.