GOLD COAST (Australia) - The FIBA Oceania 3x3 High Performance Camp recently concluded with a notable off-court highlight: Kaia Travilla’s completion of the inaugural FIBA x WINS Social Media Scholarship.
Aligning with two vital pillars in the FIBA Strategic Plan, Empowering National Federations and Women in Basketball, this unique opportunity allowed Kaia to transition from being a player on the court, to capturing the essence of the game from the sidelines, providing her with invaluable insights into the world of sports media.
Kaia’s journey began with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Stepping into a new role, she embraced the challenge of learning and growing in an unfamiliar environment. Her initial apprehension quickly transformed into enthusiasm as she discovered the multifaceted world of sports event content development.
“This inaugural scholarship opportunity really demonstrated how empowering women in basketball is more that just shooting hoops and winning a competition,” FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said. “Kaia was highly engaged throughout the FIBA x WINS Social Media program that was conducted online earlier in the year, and that engagement shone through at the high-performance camp. Her ability to evolve and learn more about the behind-the-scenes elements of a basketball event, especially in the media space, was great to see.”
One of the most significant lessons Kaia learned was the unifying power of basketball.
“Basketball is a sport that brings everyone together,” Kaia said. “Regardless of your age, gender, or where you come from. Everyone must work together on and off the court.”
This sense of community was evident throughout the camp, where everyone worked as one big Oceania basketball family, both on and off the court. Kaia’s experience underscored the importance of teamwork and the shared passion that binds the basketball community.
Kaia also gained a deeper appreciation for the often-overlooked contributors to the sport. “There are many people that are working hard behind the scenes,” she said. “Coaches, referees, media, organisers and everyone else, is what glues the whole thing together and adds for a greater experience for players, fans, family, and anyone interested in the world of that sport.” Kaia observed the joy and pride players felt when they saw themselves featured in photos and videos, highlighting the significant impact of media in celebrating and promoting the sport.
The FIBA x WINS Social Media Scholarship provided Kaia with the freedom to explore her creativity. Initially uncertain, she gradually found her confidence and voice in the media landscape. “It has taught me to just be myself and to have fun with it. I feel like with this experience, it has allowed me to open-up more with creative freedom when it came to the program and creating media,” she said. This newfound confidence and creative freedom are aspects Kaia is eager to bring back to the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), where she hopes to use her skills to promote basketball and her culture.
Kaia’s experience at the FIBA Oceania 3x3 High Performance Camp is a testament to the power of stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Her journey from player to media operations scholar highlights the endless possibilities that come with embracing new challenges and pursuing one’s passions. Returning to NMI, Kaia is equipped with the knowledge and enthusiasm to make a lasting impact on her community, promoting the sport she loves and the culture she values.
## About WINS
The Women in Sports (WINS) program includes mentoring participants through sports coverage and seeks to promote women in sport from elite to community levels and amplify women’s voices in sports coverage, inspiring women across the Pacific, and Asia to get involved in sports media.
WINS is coordinated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's International Development Unit (ABCID) and is supported by the Australian Government through the Team Up program and builds on two previous phases since WINS began in 2016.