GOLD COAST (Australia) – The FIBA Oceania Board held their first 2022 meeting online to discuss Zone activities, opportunities and reports ahead of a busy six months of events which will include the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 being hosted in Sydney.

FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis attended the meeting along side FIBA Oceania President Burton Shipley, FIBA Executive Director, Amanda Jenkins, FIBA Oceania Vice President David Reid, FIBA Oceania Board Members Greg Williamson, Frank Cruz and Thierry Durand.

FIBA Oceania President, Burton Shipley, highlighted the enormous work being undertaken across the Oceania Zone with events and programs bouncing back after various pandemic constraints.

“New Zealand, Australia and all our Island nations are doing good work, but we do acknowledge the challenges and complexities of hosting large scale events,” Shipley said. 

“Challenges aside, over the next few months we have a plethora of events happening which starts in June with the inaugural Micronesia Cup being hosted by Guam.  We will then have World Cup Qualifiers and of course, the Women’s World Cup with the Melanesia and Polynesia Cups later in the year with the Under 15 Championships in November.”

Shipley also highlighted the effects of the pandemic with Oceania Federations very much still navigating through the complexities of lockdowns as well as the rebuilding phase.

FIBA Executive Director, Amanda Jenkins, provided an update on the Global Strategies with three focus pillars that include, Women in Basketball, empowering national federations and enlarging the FIBA family.

“We are focused and continue to deliver our events and strategy,” Jenkins said.

“Our three pillars are being upheld and implemented across Oceania with the Women’s World Cup, the roll-out and uptake of FIBA Plus combined with Women’s Basketball for the Her World, Her Rules programs that are being held across 70 countries promoting women’s grassroot activity.  We are enlarging the FIBA family with strong registration levels across all facets along side some great innovation that will expand our family.”

FIBA are also creating a sports industry first by announcing a Safeguarding Council to assist with the protection of athletes and participants.

The Zone Board also discussed the 2022 Operational Plan, FIBA Oceania Competitions, Federation participation in international events including 3x3 and Under 16s, the FIBA WiLead Program, 2023 Pacific Games update and hosting rights for 2023 youth events.