QUEENSLAND (FIBA Oceania) - FIBA Oceania will celebrate its 50th anniversary on October 20 in Sydney, Australia. Former FIBA President Robert Elphinston witnessed first-hand the growth of the region over the years.

"The 50th Anniversary will provide recognition to the basketball community globally, just how long FIBA Oceania has been formally active in the World of Basketball, and the great strides that have taken place in the growth of the sport across all 22 Member Federations of Oceania," said Elphinston.

In the lead-up to the 50th-anniversary dinner, Elphsinton spoke to FIBA Oceania.

Can you share with us how you started with FIBA?

I have had a long association with Al Ramsay and in the 70's and 80's, I made a number of trips to coach and speak on administration in Oceania countries, a role which I enjoyed greatly. I was also a very good friend of Merv Emms, who made many coaching trips to Oceania and he encouraged me to do the same as I was a developing coach in Australia at that time and a trained Physical Education Teacher.

What were the challenges you faced during your tour of duty as FIBA Oceania President?

In the Pacific, the biggest challenges were communication and funding – we needed to better communicate and support coaching, refereeing and administrative programmes and overcome the challenges of distance and cost of travel.

How much has FIBA Oceania changed throughout your association with the regional office?

Each Zone Secretary brought new skills, new enthusiasm and new directions to FIBA Oceania and its member Federations – Al Ramsay, then Steve Smith and now David Crocker. David has increased the professionalism of the sport across the Pacific, found more Government funding to support programmes and gained the trust of FIBA to try and fund new initiatives.

What are you most proud of during your time with FIBA?

In Oceania, changing the pathways for Federations to participate at a higher level – Pacific Games and the FIBA World Cup; creation of Sub Zones to further assist in competitions and development in a more cost-effective way was an achievement.

At FIBA level , leading the design , funding and construction of the FIBA House and HQ in Mies , Geneva , Switzerland was a major achievement , also the establishment of the FIBA Foundation where I was the inaugural president ; introduction of 3 x 3 through the 2010 Youth Olympic games and the development of a revamped competition program was very pleasing.

What are your fondest memories during your tenure as a FIBA executive?

My fondest memories were visiting more than 60 National federations and attending the FIBA Competitions on all five Continents, supporting the work of the thousands of volunteers involved in the sport; growing the profile of the sport within the Olympic movement.

What do you want FIBA Oceania in the next 50 years?

I hope FIBA Oceania can grow the sport in every member Federation to be one of the major sports in the Pacific at all levels and for more National Federations to be able to participate at the FIBA World level; New Zealand is now doing this and I hope to see Guam, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and all the countries achieve the same success in time to come.

“FIBA Oceania is in great shape now with a great CEO and staff. led by an outstanding President with a strong Board – we are destined for excellent progress in the coming years”- Bob Elphinston

 What are you looking forward to the most during the 50th anniversary celebrtaion on October 20?

It is an occasion where the membership of FIBA Oceania can publicly acknowledge and thank Al Ramsay for his remarkable efforts in securing the support of the FIBA Leadership and FIBA Zones to support the recognition of the 5th Zone of FIBA in 1968. FIBA Oceania personnel over many years have been significant contributors to FIBA world-wide and again this is an occasion to recognize those people, many whom will be present.

Any last thoughts or message you want to say?

I have always been extremely grateful to Al Ramsay for involving me in the Oceania activities which gave me the chance to be heavily involved at the International level. Basketball Australia has always strongly supported my involvement at the International level for which I am grateful and to Patrick Baumann, Secretary General of FIBA, who encouraged my involvement at the FIBA level and became a great ally in the development of our sport globally.

 FIBA