The FIBA Oceania Board met for the first official meeting of the 2024-2027 cycle. As a new FIBA cycle rolls out, the Oceania Board was presented with a revamped 2024-2027 Operational Plan, alongside a budget for 2024.
The Regional Board heard updates on development activities, including the engagement of the United Nations in Timor Leste, Her World Her Rules program achievements, coach development opportunities in Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) and the installation of an automated camera facility in NMI, the second in the region after Guam.
Basketball for Good
Natu Taufale from New Zealand travelled to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) at the beginning of November to deliver FIBA Start Coaching, an opportunity made possible through the support of Olympic Solidarity.
FIBA Start Coaching is a practical course that provides participants with tips on how to make learning basketball fun, how to keep players active, and engaged. Taufale delivered this program as well as facilitating on-island Coach Educator Training.
The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea and Basketball Fiji are both gearing up for development growth in 2024 with both Federations focused on reaching gender participation balance.
Women in Basketball
The hardwood floors of Samoa are bouncing with excitement as the National Samoan Girls Basketball Team soared to new heights at the end of 2023. After a meteoric rise of 23 spots in the FIBA World Rankings – Youth Girls, they now proudly sit within the top 50, a testament to their talent, dedication, and the growing power of Samoan basketball on the global stage.
In the dynamic world of basketball, where players often take centre stage, there are unsung heroes who contribute significantly to the game’s integrity and fair play – referees. One such remarkable individual officiated at the Pacific Games, Nisha Pongi Meneses, a 37-year-old referee with a passion for the sport that has spanned 18 years.
Competitions
The 2023 Pacific Games were hosted by the Solomon Islands with Fiji winning gold in the men’s competition, and Tahiti in the women’s. Following the 5×5 competitions, 3×3 took centre stage where the men from Guam successfully defended their 2019 Pacific Games Gold Medal defeating Fiji by one point. Tahiti did something that no women’s team has done before, winning 3×3 gold to accompany their 5×5 gold, making it a historic Games double-double.
The Pacific Games Council President watched the basketball action in Honiara and was amazed by the talent on the court, and how the off-court qualification system has added a level of prestige to the basketball competition.
New Zealand qualified for eFIBA Season 2 World Finals, defeating Guam at the regional level to progress to the final stage. They finished seventh at the finals event where they were the youngest competing team.
The women’s national teams from Australia, and New Zealand took part in Olympic qualification tournaments in February with Australia punching their ticket to Paris 2024, while New Zealand narrowly missed out.
The men’s national teams from Australia, New Zealand, and Guam all played in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers in February with Australia and New Zealand winning both of their games, while Guam won one from two, defeating Mongolia.