FIBA Oceania Bulletin April 2009 President’s Report— the game within the zone. Of course not all by Barbara Wheadon is able to be achieved but aiming high is Greetings everyone, here in something we see as a challenge.

New Zealand we are enjoying Judy and Steve Smith have recently had summer like we cannot re- some well earned leave and Regan Kama member, long warm days, but has become a mum again. The Oceania office alas the challenge is to sustain is a family-friendly one, with baby Taleah the vegetable garden as it has coming along to work with Regan. The staff not rained in months. are busy now heading into the year’s activi- Developing and The year has started at a furious ties, which will include the Oceania Tourna- promoting basketball pace, with our representative All Star men & ment and Congress in Saipan in June, where across the Pacific women competing in the Australian Under 20 I hope to meet with many of the representa- championships in Townsville in February. tives from our member Federations.

Players and staff from Tahiti, PNG, Fiji, FIBA President Bob Elphinston, Secretary Guam, New Caledonia and Palau represented General Patrick Bauman and Sports Direc- the zone with distinction at the tournament. Î 2009 All Stars tor Lubo Kotleba will join us in Saipan, Congratulations to all those involved. which will provide an opportunity for the Î New CEO for BA I have been fortunate to have hosted many zone federations to talk directly to the most overseas guests in February, during the draw powerful men in world basketball. Î Oceania Congress for the FIBA Under 19 Championships which Our congratulations to on will be held in New Zealand in July. The Î his appointment as the new CEO of Basket- Fiji ‘on fire’ draw was a very grand occasion and it was ball . We will be keenly watching great to see our game at the front of the NZ Î Vanuatu Easter Champs the new initiatives of BA and hope they reap sports news. If any of you are interested in the anticipated rewards. I also extend our Î Ralik Ratak on again becoming a volunteer for the event I urge you sincere thanks to departing CEO Scott Der- to apply via the BBNZ website. win who has participated in many Oceania Î NZ hosts World Champs The FIBA Oceania Board met recently in Syd- activities and meetings during his 10 year

ney and in reviewing the 2008 reports have reign at BA. ÎNew DO for Oceania recommended that the Secretary General pre- During 2009, FIBA Oceania will also be con- Î Solomon’s Easter pare a new strategic plan in time for the Con- ducting the qualifications for the first-ever Champs gress in Saipan. Initial meetings have been FIBA Under 17 World Championships, held with Island representatives Bill Kelder- along with the qualifications for the men’s mans, Robert Vautrin and Michael White and and women’s World Championships in their views will be circulated to you all for 2010. To all our members, thank you for the consideration. The Board is keen to hear from contribution each of you make to our game. you on how you best see the development of

P.O. Box 174, Toormina The Oceania Tournament—Saipan NSW, Australia 2452 Saturday 20th—Sunday 28th June 2009 Ph +61 2 6658 6110 The Oceania Tournament for men and women will be played in Sai- Fax +61 2 6658 6114 pan, Northern Mariana Islands in June this year. The island nation is

gearing up for the big event, with the organising committee working Email: [email protected] overtime to ensure a perfect competition. The senior national men’s and women’s teams from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Website: Fiji, Tahiti, Palau and Guam will join hosts CNMI at the tournament. www.fibaoceania.com The 4 yearly Oceania Congress will also be held in Saipan, during which elections for the Oceania Board of Management for the period 2009—2013 will be held. To encourage all federations to send a dele- gate to the Congress, FIBA Oceania will be providing free accommo- dation and meals for 3 days. Read more on page 3.

We welcome stories from across the zone for the Bulletin. If you have some news from your club, school, association or federation, email it, and a photograph to Judy Smith at [email protected]

The Oceania Bulletin is an official publication of FIBA OCEANIA and is circulated throughout Oceania, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe. To be added to the email distribution list, send your address to [email protected] Visit our website at www.fibaoceania.com for previous editions. Page 2 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

2009 All Star Teams The FIBA Oceania All Star teams participated in the Austra- lian Under 20 Championships in Townsville from 14-21st February this year, and performed with distinction both on and off the court.

The contingent had a week-long training camp in Townsville, during which they played games against local senior teams. This practice provided great game experience for our teams, who were ‘ready to play’ when the tournament commenced.

Coaches Brigette Langomazino, Honoura Bonnet, Katrina Ferris and Warwick Allen were full of praise for the way the players absorbed new skills and team plays, and how much both teams improved over the two weeks.

In addition to the playing staff, FIBA Oceania was repre- sented in the refereeing field by Jubilee Kuartei from Palau and Joe Tamani from Fiji. Both referees gained a great deal of experience from the opportunity to work with some of the best referees in Australia, and to have their games assessed by experienced referee evaluators.

The 2009 Oceania All Star teams were: Women: Haamoe Voirin Tahiti Alizee Lefrac Tahiti Rachael Koivi PNG Clarissa Passa New Cal Derin Santos Guam Philippa Joumkalop PNG Brittany Hazelman Fiji Meleane Moce Fiji Nakita Travertz PNG Following the opening ceremony, the new Australian Opals Rebecca Tomada Guam coach Carrie Graf spoke to the Oceania teams, repeating the Coach: Brigette Langomazino Tahiti message that game scores should not be seen as the deciding Ass Coach: Katrina Ferris indicators of success at this tournament. Manager: Audre Hattori Guam Referee: Jubilee Kuartei Palau The teams were treated to the opportunity to view the best of Australian women’s basketball, when they watched a WNBL Men: game between Canberra Capitals and Townsville Fire. Reihiti Sommers Tahiti Girls Results: Perry Oiterong Palau South Australia 122 defeated Oceania 42 Tereora Dauphin Tahiti 110 defeated Oceania 33 Beniela Adjougniope New Cal Western Australia 85 defeated Oceania 36 Maruki Dury Tahiti New South Wales 103 defeated Oceania 54 Mika Loko PNG Tasmania 91 defeated Oceania 41 Manoa Puamau Fiji Queensland 92 defeated Oceania 51 Rahiti Teriierooiterai Tahiti Purari Muri PNG Boys Results: Jese Sikivou Fiji New South Wales 109 defeated Oceania 43 Coach: Honoura Bonnet Tahiti Western Australia 98 defeated Oceania 64 Ass Coach: Warwick Allen South Australia 114 defeated Oceania 68 Manager: Charley Maitere Tahiti Queensland 131 defeated Oceania 48 Referee: Joe Tamani Fiji Canberra 95 defeated Oceania 49

Tasmania 103 defeated Oceania 98

Page 3 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009 has a new- CEO: Oceania Congress—Saipan Australian basketball has a new Wednesday 24th June

leader, with the legendary Larry The 4 yearly Congress of FIBA Oceania Sengstock named as the sport's is scheduled for Wednesday 24th June new Chief Executive Officer. 2009 in Saipan, Northern Mariana Is- Chairman of the Board of Basket- lands.

ball David Thodey said BA under- All federations in the zone should do took an exhaustive search for everything they can to have at least one someone with proven leadership ability and impeccable cor- delegate at the Congress. To encourage porate credentials and were thrilled to find Sengstock. participation at the Congress, FIBA Oceania will provide free accommodation and meals for one delegate from each Sengstock comes to basketball as an acknowledged leader in federation for Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thurs- Australian sports management, with exceptional experience day 25th June. in working with all levels of sport and with all levels of gov- ernment. This offer is only for federations who are not participating in the Oceania Tournament. Federations will need to pay One of the best credentialed sports and event management for the airfare of their representative, and any additional executives in Australia, Sengstock was the Head of Sport and accommodation and meals outside the 3 day offer.

Athlete Services for the 2006 Commonwealth At the Congress there will be the election for the President Games. He was one of the original members of the bid team of FIBA Oceania for the 4 year period 2009-2013, plus an that secured the Commonwealth Games for Melbourne and election for the 3 Pacific Island representatives. More infor- then a member of the Organising Committee that ensured the mation about the Congress will be circulated to federations Games were a stunning success. Sengstock joins Basketball in the coming weeks. However, federations who are not Australia from his current role as Senior Consultant of Inter- participating in Saipan, but who wish to come to the Con- national Projects with market-leading sports, recreation and gress should email their intention to Judy Smith as soon as possible on [email protected] leisure planning consultancy SGL Group. With the FIBA President Bob Elphinston, and Secretary The former Boomers star played 293 games for Australia and General Patrick Baumann attending the Oceania Congress represented Australia at four Olympic Games (1980, 1984, it is important that we honour their involvement by having 1988, 1992) and four World Championships (1978, 1982, 1986, as many federations as possible represented at the Con- 1990). He won five National Basketball League Champion- gress. ships (1979, 1980, 1985, 1987) and was the NBL Grand Final FIBA’s Sports Director, Lubo Kotleba, will also be in Sai- Most Valuable Player in the league's 1979 inaugural season. pan. He will be conducting a clinic for selected referees to The NBL Grand Final MVP medal has since been named in gain their international FIBA refereeing badge. his honour and he is a member of both the Basketball Austra- lia and NBL Halls of Fame. Refurbishment of the Ada gymnasium is underway, in- cluding painting and retiling of the amenities and painting of the court surrounds. Thanks to the donation of new New Australian Record for Dribbling: backboards, rings and shot clocks from the FIBA Study The basketball community was out in force in Melbourne’s Centre, the playing courts will be in excellent condition. Federation Square as 1,623 people came out to break the Aus- The Mariana High school, an air-conditioned gymnasium tralian record for people dribbling simultane- just 5 minutes walk from the Ada gym, will also be used ously. The event, which also served as the official launch of during the tournament.

Australia’s new national basketball branding and the an- Teams will be housed in self-contained apartments along nouncement of Larry Sengstock as Basketball Australia’s new the waters edge, and buses will move the teams to and Chief Executive Officer, was judged a resounding success de- from the playing and training venue. spite the numbers falling short of the targeted world record of Basketball is one of the most popular sport in Saipan, as 3,054. can be seen from the photo below of the backboard in the pool at the 5 star Hyatt hotel in down town Saipan.

The pool at the Saipan Hyatt Page 4 News From Around the Zone FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

New Zealand to host FIBA World U/19 a higher level in the country. Annie then read out the list of Men’s Championships: equipment before proceeding with presentations. Shefa

New Zealand will host the most important Basketball League Secretary Bettie Bongelan was present FIBA basketball event for 2009 when the and accepted the donation on behalf of the league. World Under 19 Championships for Men are conducted in from 2nd to The president of PVBA Banga Mera ,after receiving the 12th July . gifts, expressed his appreciations to the VBF for the sup- port provided and assured to work closely with the federa- With an international audience estimated at tion so that the development of basketball is carried out more than 100 million viewers, 16 teams successfully. will compete for global supremacy. FIBA Oceania will be represented by Australia, as the qualifier, Primary School Visits to Efate: and by New Zealand as the host country. The draw for the Vanuatu Basketball’s NBDO, Peter Izono, is part of the VA- event was done in Auckland by FIBA’s Sports Director SANOC team that is travelling to the rural areas to intro- Lubo Kotleba, with the pool results shown below: duce students to a variety of sports. Most of the kids had not tried basketball before, but with the NBDO’s magic bag Group A: Angola, Greece, Lithuania, Puerto Rico of tricks, the kids really enjoyed their time learning skills Group B: Egypt, France, Iran, USA and playing modified games. Group C: Australia, Canada, Spain, Syria Group D: Argentina, Croatia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand

Jailhouse Rock—A 3-on-3 tournament with a difference: Palau NBDO Topps Sungino, in cooperation with the Min- istry of Justice and the Division of Corrections, conducts an annual 3-on-3 tournament at the Palau jail for inmates.

Over 40 inmates participated in this program in late De- cember 2008, with “Team Assassins” winning the grand final with tournament MVP Suki making a desperation 3 pointer from the corner to take the title.

Afterwards in the closing ceremony Topps Sungino gave out the awards and reminded all the players why the Pa- Kids at the Efate clinics with FIBA Oceania balls lau Basketball Federation was supporting the program. Character building and good sportsmanship were the key elements of the program and Topps explained why all in- ELECTRONIC mates need to follow the rules and regulations of the game SCOREBOARD which in turn will help them follow the rules and regula- EXPERTS tion set forth by the community they live in.

PLAYER FOUL PLAYER FOUL Vanuatu News: LIGHT DARK

Vanuatu Basketball Federation has organized its Annual F F O O U U General Meeting on Thursday 5 February with the assis- L L tance of VASANOC. The AGM was to be hosted in July 2008 as recommended by FIBA Oceania but following al- SUB SUB ternate commitment of the executive, the meeting was T/OPERIOD T/O postponed to February. The newly elected president for the Federation Annie Kalo.

VBF donate equipment to affiliated associations: BASKETBALL SCOREBOARDS The Vanuatu Basketball Federation has donated material AUXILIARY DISPLAYS to the Shefa Basketball League and the Port Vila Basket- SHOTCLOCKS & GAME TIMERS ball Association to support their development programs. PLAYER FOUL DISPLAYS

The president of VBF Annie FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT Kalo thanked the two asso- www.scoreboards.com.au ciations for their affiliation OR CONTACT US AT and confidence shown to her QUESTEK AUSTRALIA executive. She also hopes 102-104 Beaconsfield St, Silverwater NSW Australia 2128 that the leagues will make Inside Australia Ph. 02 8748 9800 Fax. 02 8748 9877 good use of the material so Outside Australia Ph. +612 8748 9800 Fax. +612 8748 9877 that basketball is brought to Email [email protected] Page 5 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

Basketball Fiji reaches out to Shefa Summer League completed in Vanuatu:: Special Needs Students The basketball season opened in Shefa province, Vanu- atu, with the Opening Tournament tipping off on 18th Basketball Fiji has embarked on a program of visits to February in both the Kawenu field and the Anglican schools catering for students with special needs. The courts. The month long competition was played in both weekly clinics, which started in March, will be conducted men’s and women’s division one and two. There were 21 at Suva Special School and at the Gospel School for the teams competing in the preliminary rounds. Deaf. The first clinic was with special needs students from

the Fiji Vocational Centre, with the basketball court at the However, it was not easy to conduct the tournament as adjacent Indian College used by the students. the organisers had to endure an ever-increasing number The Basketball Fiji officers Mark Seccombe, Aggie of rainy days because of games being played out doors. Sokosoko and Laisiasa Puamau, with the help of National The rain caused the rescheduling of many games in order under 20 rep player Allen Price, taught these young men to keep up with the program. The Shefa organisers and women the basic skills of basketball. staged a very successful grand final series on Saturday 14 March. All the young players and their teachers really appreciated the kind gesture shown by the Basketball Fiji in sending development officers to the school.

“It was a very humbling experience to witness that basket- ball brought so much joy and happiness into these young lives. For those few hours on the basketball court these fine young group of people felt like ordinary basketball players. We would like to thank the school for giving us the opportunity to work with their students” said AYAD Mark Seccombe.

Players in the Shefa Province finals

Kids at Suva Special School enjoying the clinic

Raiwai finish their first development program: The Raiwai Basketball Association successfully rounded- off the first round of its development program at the Rai- Surfacing and Construction of Sporting Facilities Throughout the Pacific wai Youth Centre hall in mid April. The program was ini- tially designed to help budding Raiwai talent, but has at- Experts in all types of indoor and outdoor recreational tracted teams from around Suva. surfaces for all sports including basketball, netball, tennis, track and field, baseball. Now the Raiwai Association expects more teams to join We supply and install Tru-flex Acrylic and Synthetic Grass the program, which will get underway again on May 16th. Tennis Netball and Basketball Courts and have an "It was a real success for us this season as we managed to excellent indoor shock absorbent gym/basketball floor. get many teams in the competition," RBA official Kelevi eg: Pulastic 2000

Serukalou said. We can meet all your recreation construction requirements "We improved a lot as far including lighting, fencing, surfacing and base work on as the development of concrete or asphalt. Free construction brochures to basketball is concerned, complete your own base and save $000‘s. Apply for our brochures to: but we also managed to strengthen the relation- William Mortlock ship between players and Recreational Surfaces Pty Ltd 653 Pacific Highway, Killara (Sydney), Australia 2071 their parents by getting Ph +61 2 9499 2100 Fax +61 2 9499 2896 the parents to watch their Website: www.recsurf.com kids in action." Successfully completing projects throughout the Pacific and Stay tuned for news on Asia region. We’ll come to you! the second program. Page 6 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009 American Samoa Basketball: By Warwick Allen: American Samoa basketball is going through a rebuilding phase to address the challenges they face. It has never been practical to aspire to the position of number one Sport given the love of the people for American Football, and the career paths opened up by this sport.

Last year there were approximately thirty players of Sa- moan extraction playing at the elite professional level in the US National Football League. Four Division One Col- leges started Samoan quarterbacks. And over two hun- dred Samoans were on scholarship ranging from Junior College to Division One Universities. College scouts from Participants at the American Samoa Coaching Course the West Coast and Hawaii make regular recruiting visits to American Samoa.

But now a new ‘player’ has emerged with a round ball, that being the game of soccer. F.I.F.A has just spent $US 3 million on the construction of a football stadium in Pago Pago. They have backed this expenditure up with the paid appointment of a media officer with immediate re- sults of column inches and photographs. It is obvious that the Basketball Federation will have to tackle the new- comer head on.

In the fight to keep kids in basketball and to build their programs, the American Samoa Basketball Federation has utilised the resources of American Samoa National Olym- pic Committee to access an Olympic Solidarity grant ti- tled “Development of National Sport Structure”. Coaches in American Samoa The aim of the program is to return AS Basketball to the competitive status it enjoyed in the eighties, when it was a Gold Medallist at the 1983 & 1987 South Pacific Games. A positive sign is that a number of players and adminis- trators from the “glory days” are heavily involved.

The strategies the federation are employing include: • National Coaching Accreditation for school coaches • National Coaching Accreditation for all coaches wishing to coach ASBF teams (Level One for National Junior level; Level Two for Senior Level) • Establishment of a Four Year Plan involving partici- pating at relevant FIBA Oceania events • Establishment of National Under 19 Men's and Women's squads.

In 2009 they have taken the first step with three Level One Coaching Courses. They have also capitalised on a highly successful National Schools Championship by se- lecting Men's and Women's National Under 19 squads, which are currently preparing for competition in Hawaii in August 2009.

These squads are utilising the services of coaches who have completed the 2009 Level One Courses. Only these coaches working with the squads will be eligible for ap- pointment to the final teams. These players will form the basis of teams to contest the Oceania Youth Tournament in 2010. The three Level One Courses drew a diverse mix of coaches, ranging from virtual beginners to old cam- paigners who simply wanted to see if there was anything new they could learn. Page 7 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

Secretary General confirmed in Interna- Pere Miro tional Role: and Nicole

FIBA Oceania Secretary General Steve Giraud-Savoy Smith spent last week in Queenstown, New Zealand at- made presen- tending the annual assembly of ONOC (Oceania National tations on the Olympic Committees) and OSFO (Olympic Sports Fed- programs erations of Oceania). delivered un- der Olympic In recognition of the leading role of FIBA Oceania among Solidarity the International Federations operating in Oceania, Steve (National, was appointed in 2005 as the Inaugural Chairman of Continental & OSFO. The Assembly in Queenstown re-elected him un- World) for opposed for a further 4 year term. OSFO now represents the 2005-08 30 International Sports Federations operating in the Oce- Olympic cycle (quadrennial) and then outlined how the pro- ania region and the membership is continuing to grow. grams for the 2009-12 quadrennial will operate.

OSFO held some joint workshops with our colleagues The important news for our basketball federations is that from ONOC and the National Olympic Committees effectively, their National Olympic Committee has increased (NOC’s) of the region on a number of topics, many of funding for the next four year period available to help with them Pacific Games related matters such as eligibility, the delivery of sports programs in their country. There is a competition structures and the Memorandums of Under- minimum of $65,000 USD per year available for such pro- standing (MoU’s) the Games Council (PGC) is attempting grams under a budget controlled by the NOC as well as a to sign with the member sports of the Games. further $5,000 per year available for sports equipment and an extensive suite of other programs available through OSFO will meet later this year with the Executive of the ONOC in Fiji and Lausanne to conduct a broad range of PGC to follow up these discussions and also have sought sports initiatives. permission to address the Pacific Games Association when it meets later this year in the Cook Islands during In fact most NOC’s will have an annual operational budget the Mini Games. of $110,000 USD without even accessing a single Continen- tal or World Olympic Solidarity program. It was a busy week in Queenstown with each of the bid cities for the 2016 Olympic Games making a presentation Regan from our office, has a CD outlining all of the Solidar- to convince delegates of the worthiness of their candida- ity Programs for 2009-12 and is in the process of making ture, and the IOC and Singapore LOC making a presenta- summary for use by our federations. However, if you can- tion on the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. not wait for this project to be completed and would like to make a head start yourself, contact Regan on There was extra excitement at the meeting because the [email protected] to get a copy of the CD. IOC President, Jacques Rogge was on hand to witness the retirement of Kevan Gosper and to witness the election of One point I would like to emphasise to our federations in the 17 countries with NOC’s is that YOU, as a basketball the new leadership of the IOC’s Continental organisation. federation, have the ability and right to make application At the ONOC Assembly Kevan Gosper (IOC member) for the use of Solidarity Funds. who has headed the organisation for 20 years announced • Basketball is an Olympic Sport and therefore qualify un- his retirement. Over and again he was thanked by vari- ous presenters at the Assembly for his outstanding stew- der the rules of Olympic Solidarity. ardship of ONOC and the key role he has played in grow- • Basketball is a key sport within the Olympic Games pro- ing the organisation, representing the interests of Pacific gram and it is our success and the related worldwide Sport at international fora (NOTE JUDY – correct spelling plural of forum) and the role he has played in bringing all television sales on the back of interest in basketball, of the players in Oceania sport closer together. which generates the funds to create the Olympic Solidar- ity funds. The President of ONOC for the next four years is Dr • Robin Mitchell (IOC member) from Fiji, who most will In addition your world Federation FIBA, operating recognise as the long standing former Secretary General through FIBA Oceania, extensively supports basketball of ONOC. The new Secretary General is Ric Blas of initiatives on our 19 member federations so any funding Guam while the Executive is made up of Barry Maister assistance provided through Olympic Solidarity is sup- (NZ) – Vice President, and Joe Carlo (Vanuatu), Jim Tobin ported by the investment of FIBA. (FSM), Baklai Temengil (Palau) and Ken Tupua (American Samoa). If any federation would like help in understanding the Olympic Solidarity Program or in negotiating with their Dennis Miller from the ONOC office in Fiji which also NOC for access to funds, please contact our office. The se- acts as the regional office of Olympic Solidarity as well as cret to success remember, is to have a plan and act well his colleagues from the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, ahead of the date you want to run an activity. Page 8 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009 Palau News: The 2009 Women’s NBL season began in Palau on March 24, with 6 teams participating. The season began with a short opening ceremony held at the Palau National Gym. As the athletes walked into the gym, they each voted for the new WNBL officers for the 2009 - 2011 term. At the end of the opening ceremony, outgoing Secretary/ Treasurer Jubilee Kuartei announced the new officers as follows: President: Jaime Ngirausui Vice President: Happy Fritz Sec/Treasurer: Aquilla Masami

Outgoing Vice-President Jessalyn De Leon welcomed all the athletes and coaches participating in the 2009 Sea- Ministry of Education clinics conducted by NBDO Sungino son. President Jaime Ngirausui followed by recognizing Community programs were conducted in Ngarchelong the teams and their sponsors. state, Airai State, Aimeliik State, Oketol Dock in Ngarche- National Basketball Development Officer and the WNBL long, Nekken Field in Aimeliik and Yelch Field in Airai. Commissioner Kazuki 'Topps' Sungino gave the special remarks. He reminded all the athletes and coaches that About 500 youths participated in the various sports like this league is the highest level of basketball for Women in kayak races, swimming races, basketball competitions, vol- Palau and that all teams should play their best. leyball competitions and softball competitions.

Marshall Islands news: By Giff Johnson At the Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee elec- tions meeting, a slate of six officers were elected. Heading the NOC for a second term is President Kenneth Kramer, a former medalist in wrestling in regional competition. Mar- shall Islands Basketball Federation President Thomas Heine was elected Vice President for Marketing and Soli- darity.

In other developments, MIBF President Thomas Heine and the government’s Internal Affairs Minister Norman Mat- thew signed an agreement that confirms and strengthens WNBL players in the Palau League the relationship between the basketball federation and the government’s Sports and Recreation program. This is the Palau BF assist Ministry of Education Awareness week: first Memorandum of Understanding ever signed between On March 17-20, the Ministry of MIBF and the government agency Education held a week long cur- primarily responsible for sports and riculum awareness program. The basketball operations. The MoU Palau Basketball Federation as- promises that: “MIBF will, through sisted throughout Palau. its affiliation with FIBA Oceania,

collaborate with Ministry of Internal Basketball competitions were held Affairs in the delivery of technical in Ngeremlengui for school teams assistance for the improvement of from Aimeliik, Ngardmau and basketball at all levels by men and Ngatpang. Koror held games for women in the RMI through the pro- the various schools within Koror vision of training for administrators, region. coaches, referees and players.”

Palau NOC Outreach Programs: Under the agreement, MIBF will re- Palau Basketball Federation in ceive special consideration for use of conjunction with the Palau Na- the national gymnasium for its an- tional Olympic Committee con- nual Ralik Ratak Shootout Basketball ducted various basketball and Tournament, and MIBF will be allo- other sports programs around cated office space at the gym. Palau during the Youth Holiday, March 15. Nominations for the Ralik Ratak are now open, with the 2009 tournament The PNOC and PBF staff were to be sponsored by Honolulu based all busy with sports programs. Marshallese families. Page 9 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

Basketball is booming in Fiji ers of tomorrow with the basic understanding of the game By Lai Puamau: and in return they became basketball coaches in there re-

Primary schools:- spective schools. Basketball Fiji is currently running a Post Shop Kaji Primary School Compe- National Championships ready to go:- tition that has been set up and run- Competition in Fiji is up and running at all levels. We have ning for the past 3 weeks. We have 3 the Easter National Championships coming up in April, grades and they are the under 10’s, 12’s and 14’s mixed which will this year be run by the Rai- teams. The competition is onto the 3rd round and the waqa Association with the blessing and finals will be played on the 17th of April before the school support of Basketball Fiji. The prize break. The competition is held every Friday from 1pm to money for the event is $1000.00 and run- 2.30pm. ners up $800.00. The Easter National Championships are sponsored by Post There are 5 schools participating in the Post Shop Kaji Pri- Fiji, and will be a 5 day event commenc- mary School weekly competition and two of those five ing on Tuesday 7th April, with the finals schools have gone further by joining associations. on Saturday 11th April. The tournament has attracted 20

Coaching clinics have been conducted men’s and 8 women’s teams from across Fiji, and will be by Mark Seccombe (Australian Youth played at the Vodafone Arena and at the International Hall Ambassador) and Laisiasa Puamau at Laucala Beach. (National Basketball Development Of- ficer) at all five schools. Training is Local Competitions: conducted during Physical Education At the moment all associations are active. Suva and Raiwai classes, lunch time and after school. Associations run their weekly competition on week days, There are more than 300 students participating in the and on Saturdays Raiwaqa and Lautoka Associations run coaching clinics each week. We hope to grow and de- their respective competitions weekly. velop the Kaji Primary Schools Competition yearly and every year to reach out to five new schools. The Raiwai Associations have been running their 3-on-3 weekly competition and have attracted more than 16 teams. Referee clinics:- They also have an under 10’s, 12’s and under 14 grade run- Basketball Fiji would like to help the various associations ning on Saturdays.It is very encouraging to see competition by organizing a Level 1 Referee’s Clinic. We believe that in Fiji alive again and we hope to continue to grow and this clinic will enhance and provide basic knowledge of popularize the sport that we love. the rules and aid in professionalizing the sport in the country.

The Level 1 referees clinic was held on the 3rd and 4th of April. The clinic was conducted by Fiji’s very own inter- national referees Joe Tamani, Kalevi Serukalou and Navi Naivalu who all agreed to lend us there service for the 2 day event. Basketball Fiji provided the relevant referee materials for the course.

A large number of participants were made up of officials and players from the Suva and Rai- waqa Associations. A notable face at the clinic was National men’s gold medal coach Paul Whippy and na- tional men's manger Poseci Moce. Also present was Latter Days Saints primary school teacher Timaima Vitinanilagi. It is great to have one of the eight primary school teachers who are involved in the Post Fiji Kaji Primary Schools Basketball competition take the time to join the clinic. The theory part of the clinic was conducted at FASANOC's board meeting rooms and ran for three hours.

Coaching Clinics:- Basketball Fiji has just completed a Level 0 coaching clin- ics at The Fiji College of Advance Education to teacher trainers. The clinic was a huge success. Sixteen teacher trainers participated and graduated with a level 0 coach- ing certificate. Our vision is to train and equip the teach- Page 10 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

News from Australia From New Zealand By Kimberley Lewis By Scott Preston has been selected as New Zealand’s Junior Tall Head Coach of Australia’s men’s Blacks saw their first on- basketball team, the Boomers, court action in Melbourne as their preparations for the through to London 2012. FIBA U19 World Championship stepped up a level in the Brown has extensive experience first quarter of 2009. With only three months until the with the Boomers program and Under 19 men's FIBA World Championship in Auckland, the Australian National Basket- the Junior Tall Blacks fell in the championship game to ball League, and has been an the Melbourne Tigers in the under-23 section at the assistant coach with the famed pre-season tournament in early March. San Antonio Spurs in the NBA for the past six years. Brown was an assistant coach with The same week, McFadden and Logan van Beek were in the Boomers between 1995-2003, including representation attendance as New Zealand drew Argentina, Croatia and at the 1998 FIBA World Championship and the 1996 and Kazakhstan in group D at the official draw for the 2009 2000 Olympic Games. Brown’s first major test will come in Under 19 men’s FIBA World Championship. August when the Boomers take on New Zealand at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship. The Junior Tall Blacks are just one of 12 BBNZ national teams in action in 2009. In January, the U18 men collected Opals camp the bronze medal at the Australia Youth Olympic Festival Carrie Graf has conducted her first Australian Opals camp in Sydney, after an 86-85 overtime win over Japan in the as Head Coach. The 2009 Australian Opals squad were en- third-fourth playoff, thanks to a team-high 27 points from sconced in Canberra from April 2-5 with three new faces on Ethan Rusbatch. the roster. 2009 Women’s National Basketball League Grand Final MVP Natalie Hurst and youngsters Elyse Pe- The men’s U18 squad have completed preparations for an naluna (20) and Elizabeth Cambage (17) were named in the invitation tournament in Spain in early April, while the 28-strong squad and attended their first Opals camp last New Zealand’s senior national teams had their FIBA Oce- week. ania Championships confirmed in March, with the Tall Blacks set to play the Australia Boomers in game two on Graf used the camp as preparation for tours to Europe later Tuesday, August 25, in Wellington, and the Tall Ferns this year before the 2009 FIBA Oceania qualification series hosting the Australia Opals on September 5 in Porirua. against New Zealand in September.

NBL and WNBL wrap The and Canberra Capitals have been crowned champions of the National Basketball League and Women’s National Basketball League respectively for the 2008/09 seasons. The leagues seasons came to a head in March 2009 as the Dragons won their first NBL title by de- feating pre-season favourites Melbourne Tigers in a thrill- ing best-of-five Grand Final series. The series went down to the wire but the Dragons triumphed in the deciding game, 102-81.

The Capitals’ Women’s NBL championship came as no sur- prise to pre-season pundits; Canberra, led by Opals coach Carrie Graf, was tipped as the favourite and sat atop the ladder for the majority of the season.

The Bulleen Boom- ers’ 3-point attempt on the buzzer to level the scores and force the game into over- time failed to drop and the Caps cele- brated their sixth championship, de- feating Bulleen 61-58 in front of a sell-out crowd in Canberra. Page 11 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

New President for Basketball New Zealand: best basketball action for 2009 and the volunteers involved March saw a change at the top for BBNZ, with Otago’s in the running of this event are to be congratulated. John Gallaher elected as president at the 2009 Annual General Meeting. He replaces interim president Mel The ‘face’ of the Solomon’s Easter Tournament: Young, who took over when former president Barbara Moses Au has not slowed down in Wheadon stood down last November. growth and in a country where most folks are generally shorter, BBNZ is also seeking a new CEO after Dale Stephens took Moses towers above everyone else a role as BBNZ legacy project special advisor to the FIBA at 6 foot 7 inch. But if there is any- U19 World Championship for Men. thing that Moses is unafraid of - it is height. "I hope I keep growing, be- Also in March was the start of the men’s National Basket- cause basketball is a sport that ball League, now operated under licence from BBNZ by needs tall, physically strong players," Tall Mo (as he is af- the NBL Board. The defending champion Waikato Pis- fectionately known among his team mates) says. tons, along with Wellington Saints and Harbour Heat This Easter, Moses will become Our Telekom's face in all stand out as the leading contenders after three rounds, basketball promotions after signing a contract with the tele- with Saints import Mike Efevberha, and Kiwi rookies communication provider late last year. Corey Webster (Heat) and Thomas Abercrombie (Pistons) earning Player of the Week honours. New Development Officer for FIBA Oceania:

By Ryan Burns The country’s junior development programme started in January with the All-NZ Camp in Palmerston North, Greetings to all basketballers bringing in 70 athletes in the U17 and U16 age-groups, throughout the Oceania region. I along with regional and national camps in February. am very excited to be a part of the FIBA Oceania team in my From the Solomon Islands: new role as Zone Development By Lynnold Wini Officer. This first part of 2009 has been a challenging time for sport in the Solomon Islands with the re-organisation of I am currently located in Solo- the National Olympic Committee. Despite this, basketball mon Islands, a country that I has continued to develop some basic infrastructure for have spent considerable time in the future of basketball in Solomon Islands. throughout the past 3 years. I initially arrived here under the FIBA Oceania AYAD program in March 2006 as a Bas- We are currently in the process of developing a new bas- ketball Development Officer working with the Solomon ketball court which will greatly assist our basketball ac- Islands Basketball Federation, and since that time I quickly tivities in Honiara. Working with the Honiara City Coun- fell in love with the Pacific. cil, who have similar objectives in terms of youth and sport in Honiara, we are finding great support. This pro- A highlight of my time with the SIBF was coaching the ject is being strongly pushed by FIBA Oceania ZDO Ryan Men’s National Basketball Team at the 2007 South Pacific Burns who is currently in the country assisting with the Games in Apia, Samoa, which in turn led to an opportunity development of basketball in Solomon Islands. in the Federated States of Micronesia.

This month also sees the start of the Telekom Easter Bas- My 5 month basketball project in FSM was a valuable ex- ketball Challenge thanks to Miss Lysa Wini, team captain perience as I visited each of the 4 states of which each had of the D-Fenders Basketball Club. After putting together a their own customs and challenges. The highlight of the trip proposal and approaching ‘Our Telekom’, a sponsorship was conducting the 2008 Pohnpei Summer Youth Basket- arrangement was made to support the basketball tourna- ball Camp and the College of Micronesia campus which ment. This has created a lot of excitement in Honiara and involved over 200 young athletes and 16 coaches. This al- to date the tournament has been run very professionally. lowed for development of both a large group of athletes The Easter long weekend is heating up to be some of the and coaches throughout the week.

At this current time I am on my first assignment in Solo- mon Islands with a strong focus of ensuring that there are sound foundations for the future of the sport, in terms of facilities, practices and personnel who are committed to basketball. I am also pleased to say that yes, we are getting there.

I am looking forward to the coming year and no doubt I will meet many of you in your respective countries during this year or next.

Lysa Wini with representatives from Telekom Page 12 FIBA Oceania Bulletin, April 2009

Basketball Australia Launches a new branding initiative: Patrick Hunt moves to a new From the BA website: position at the AIS: President of Oceania’s World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), Patrick Hunt has moved from his Basketball Australia job to take up the newly created position as the Australian Institute of Sport’s Applied Technical Advancement Basketball Australia has undertaken a rebranding exercise Coach. to develop and position the sport for future growth and development. However, in good news for Oceania basketball enthusi-

The importance of building Basketball’s brand identity is asts, Patrick is not lost to the Oceania region, as he will continue to work with both FIBA Oceania and the WABC. vital to its success as a sport. It’s like a fingerprint; it re- flects the mood and tone you want to capture in whatever In the new position, Patrick will work with coaches across piece of communication – advertising, newsletters, bro- all sports at the AIS, all of whom are either Olympic or chures, signs, web sites, and other marketing collateral. World Championship level coaches. Specifically, Patrick’s

role will be to: Strong branding allows every point of contact that an indi- vidual has with Basketball to reflect the same message. • Promote applied technical advancement of AIS Coaches Having the same message doesn’t necessarily mean that through regular and direct engagement with and be- every piece of communication must look the same. The tween coaches. new branding has the potential to provide a number of benefits to basketball nationally across all levels of the • Assist AIS Coaches with their applied technical coaching sport, including: methods, enhancing their coaching expertise and meth- ods in their daily training and National/International • An integrated link with all affiliates, developing a proud competition environments. ownership of the sport • Consistency across all programs • Lead and facilitate AIS Coaches Exchange Program pro- • A recognizable coordinated approach to promoting bas- moting exchange of applied technical information be- ketball. tween Coaches.

• Clarity for the general community showing an organised • Lead and facilitate International Study Tours for AIS and professional sport Coaches investigating, with a view to adapting and de- • Launch of a new organisation and a new era for basket- veloping, International calibre technical models. ball in Australia • Demonstrate a progressive and unified organisation • Assist AIS Coaches in planning, monitoring and evaluat- • More visual appeal to target markets ing methods of their daily training environment, and • Create a positioning to be competitive with other sports their international competition programs and prepara- tion. Introducing Taleah Kama: At a time when Australian businesses are discussing the According to AIS Director, Professor Peter Fricker, role of maternity leave and child care in the work place, “Patrick will be drawing on his extensive experience in FIBA Oceania continues to be ahead of their time. Devel- setting up the NITCP network for basketball, which has opment Manager Regan Kama gave birth to her third child included a strong element of coach and player develop- in January and returned to work in the FIBA Oceania of- ment. The program, run by Hunt over the past 16 years, fice in February. Regan brings baby Taleah to work with has been an industry leader in the targeted development her, where part of the main office has been set up with cot of elite coaches both nationally and internationally. Pat- and bouncinette. rick’s appointment is a major step in the AIS coach techni- cal development program.” At just 10 weeks of age Taleah spends most of her “Patrick is highly regarded nationally and internationally day eating and sleeping and and his international experience and proven expertise will has adapted quickly to the enhance the environment for our coaches and put the sound of ringing phones. shine on our culture of excellence,” Professor Fricker said.

Big sister Malina, brother Patrick has organised the AIS first multi-sport Study Tour Jayden, along with dad to Europe in May. The visit will include coaches from Mika (and ‘grandparents’ track and field, cycling, gymnastics, hockey and triathlon, Steve & Judy) are delighted visiting Spain, Belgium, Germany and possibly the Neth- with the new addition to the erlands. During the Study Tour, the Australian coaches family. will observe and discuss coaching methods, systems and practices used by European coaches.