GEELONG (Australia) - FIBA in Oceania reinforced its commitment to developing basketball coaches across the region by supporting the attendance of community coaches at the recent Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Coaching and Officiating Conference in Geelong, Victoria.
Augustine Basia from the Solomon Islands and Talica Waqanivavalagi from Fiji were among those who benefited from the ‘Connection’ themed event, gaining valuable insights and networking opportunities that will directly contribute to the growth of the sport in their home nations.
The event presented a significant opportunity to champion the inclusion and development of regional coaches, directly aligning with FIBA’s strategic objective of Empowering National Federations.
“The ASC Conference offered a really unique opportunity for two community basketball coaches to further their coaching knowledge and resource base,” FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said. “For Augustine and Talica, the conference provided an invaluable opportunity to network with fellow coaches and officials, absorb new coaching methodologies, and refine their existing expertise.
“Collaborating with the ASC, PacificAus Sports, and OSFO (Organisations of Sports Federations in Oceania) was instrumental in supporting Augustine and Talica’s involvement, and we are grateful for those ongoing partnerships in a collective effort to strengthen basketball across the region.”
The ASC Conference offered a rich tapestry of learning experiences, from insightful keynote speeches to focused sessions designed to equip coaches with adaptable and effective skills for today's dynamic sporting environment.
Reflecting on his experience, Augustine said, "It was very great and insightful. I learned a lot about how coaching has evolved into the modern approach and how to connect with the athletes in the modern approach as well". He also highlighted the importance of networking and exchanging ideas with other coaches from the region.
Talica found the workshop " uplifting," and shared, "hearing experiences from other coaches, especially female coaches, and how they navigate their way through their journey, it's really important for us to have that support, to be able to go back and, and face those societal expectations".
The participation of Augustine and Talica at the ASC Coaching and Officiating Conference illustrates FIBA's proactive approach to empowering national federations. These coaches, equipped with new skills and broader perspectives gained in Australia, are now better positioned to lead and inspire the next generation of basketball players within their own communities, ultimately contributing to the sustainable growth and success of their national federations.
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.