Basketball in Fiji is growing rapidly and CSR Associate for the International Basketball Foundation Theren Bullock along with FIBA Oceania Basketball for Good Manager Peter Topp witnessed this in action on a recent visit to the sport-loving nation.

This trip was in the lead up to the IBF Mini Basketball Convention being held in Echuca this coming weekend. It served as an opportunity to see firsthand the progress and participation of three federation-run programs in the Pacific.

The mission behind these programs is to address the role of basketball as a tool to assist in community building, education, women empowerment, health, and well-being as well as conflict resolution.

“I had heard about these programs and after seeing them in action I am passionate about seeing them rolled out in other nations. To see basketball being used for good in developing nations it is a great example of how we can help in growth at a grassroots level.” Bullock stated.

Hoops for Health is a government-funded FIBA supported program that aims to get younger generations involved in sport and active activity throughout the Pacific.  In Fiji, the program uses basketball as a means to educate participants on disease risk factors and also bridging the gap on gender equality.

Mum's a Hero is a program that aims to engage women through sports while also assisting them with future planning. Bula Hoops is another program that Basketball Fiji runs for 8-10 weeks that aims to boost participation of younger generations while using the funds to become more self-sufficient and sustainable

Topp commented on the importance of these programs to both its participants but also to the further development of the sport.

“Through the programs, we are able to train these students and younger kids to become leaders for the development of the sport. They may not have the education but we are giving them the skills needed to really grow into better citizens.”

He also commented on the differences in the environment and how they impacted the way the game is played and developed in Fiji.

“In some areas, you may have kids running around on rocks and mud using facilities that are quite poor. Then in other regions, you have great facilities such as the beautiful sports center that the commission has built there that the U15 trains on.”

Mr. Topp takes great pride in what FIBA and Basketball Fiji have been contributing throughout the region with their strategy and programs that aim to change people’s lives throughout the Pacific.

“Basketball Fiji has done a tremendous job in their development programs. Our hope is to make better humans involved in the sport which will only make basketball greater for us all.”

- Rowan Harrip