COFFS HARBOUR - There was a mixture of relief, celebration and excitement in the FIBA Oceania office after the organisation received a welcome injection of funding via a Pacific Sports Partnership (PSP) grant, something which will see a doubling of the current budget and is great news for the sport right across the region.

Basketball was one of 11 sports to receive substantial economic backing through the PSP grant mechanism which is facilitated through the Australian Government's Australia Dollars (AUD) $14 million aid programme, which targets the successful delivery of sport-based initiatives in the Pacific.

Unsurprisingly, FIBA Oceania Secretary General Steve Smith, was elated with the collective announcement made by the Minister for International Development, the Hon Melissa Parke MP, Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Don Farrell and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Senator the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite.

"This grant is a significant and welcomed injection of funds," said Smith.

"This is a doubling of the FIBA Oceania budget, and represents an enormous opportunity for FIBA Oceania and our Federations to build on the current Oceania Development Program.

"We are very appreciative that Basketball Australia were willing to work with us to gain this valuable funding for the development of basketball in the Pacific."

FIBA Oceania's concept paper was submitted to the Australian Government via Basketball Australia and it formed the basis for the cash injection of AUD $1.5million over a four year period.

Basketball Australia have acknowledged that whilst they are the Australian Sports Commission's partner in the programme, FIBA Oceania have been responsible for the development of the initiative and are the organisation with the expertise and resources, to deliver it once the roll-out phase commences.

A total of nine Pacific Island countries were initially targeted for the delivery of the PSP programme and in accepting the FIBA Oceania proposal, AusAID (the Australian Government Overseas Aid Program) through the Australian Sports Commission, have approved delivery in five of the countries, namely Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Speaking at the announcement Minister Parke said: "We know sport can play an important role in helping to combat non-communicable diseases by getting people more active more often.

"Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory diseases are growing rapidly in the Pacific and cause 75% of all adult deaths in the region.

"The variety of sports and proposed activities selected will benefit a broad cross-section of Pacific Island communities, including girls and women, young people and people with disability."

Other sports to be funded include: Australian Football, Athletics, Badminton, Cricket, Soccer, Netball, Rugby Union, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball.

FIBA