Basketball is well and truly back up and running across Oceania, with national federations coordinating programs and participating in global FIBA events.
In their first international event since the pandemic, Papua New Guinea and Tonga participated in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore. They joined Australia, Guam, and New Zealand on the global stage which in a huge step for their countries as they continue to evolve and develop.
Staying in PNG, Basketball for Good Programs continue to shift cultural perspectives and celebrate basketball in the community with International Day of Families shining a light on the connection between family, basketball and community development.
Across the Coral Sea, Basketball Fiji are continuing to inspire the next generation of basketballers with community participation programs reaching new heights. Ahead of hosting the FIBA Melanesia Cup 2022 in October, development opportunities on the island are thriving.
Basketball Tonga have launched a new website as they prepare for the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2022 in November. Staying with events, Guam Men and Guam Women have both qualified for 2023 Pacific Games after winning their respective competitions at the FIBA Micronesian Cup 2022. Referee development at the Micronesian Cup also provided an opportunity for officials from Palau, Micronesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Australia. Topping off a huge Micronesian Cup, Guam Basketball Confederation joined Basketball Australia in transforming its sporting venue into a FIBA Connected Stadium.
Still in the event space, and Australia continued their dominance at the FIBA Asia Cup winning the tournament with New Zealand securing their first ever Asia Cup medal with bronze. Both Australia and New Zealand will also host FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in August as their journeys to the World Cup continue.
In the women’s youth basketball space, Australia won the FIBA Under 16 Women’s Asian Championship, New Zealand finished fourth while in Division B, and the women from Samoa completing a fairy-tale tournament to win gold.
Australia are also gearing up for the FIBA Women’s World Cup with tickets on sale for the global event tipping off in September. Women’s Basketball is thriving across Oceania with Lia Rangamar (Northern Mariana Islands) and Sera Vugakoto (Fiji), awarded the inaugural Maureen Elphinston Scholarship in recognition of their contribution to female participation and program development.