AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - FIBA Oceania President, Burton Shipley was appointed as one of three FIBA Vice Presidents in the Central Board during the World Congress in China last month.

Shipley who took on the role of Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup expressed his appreciation for his appointment in the FIBA Central Board.

"I was surprised and delighted to be selected as one of the three Vice President of FIBA in this cycle," says Shipley. "It’s a huge honor and big responsibility but I look forward to the opportunity and the difference that we can make on that level."

The New Zealand native shared his experience in the first board meeting with the new members of the FIBA Central Board and reinforced the three new pillars shared by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis during the World Congress.

"The first Central Board gathering was a terrific meeting, it's a get together for the new members and sets the tone for the basketball leaders," shares Shipley.

"The most important thing was the speech that Andreas (Zagklis) gave us at the World Congress when he shared the strategic goals of FIBA in the next cycle," he added.

''The challenge is getting the other Federations to the next level the Guam, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and others to be more competitive in the Asia-Oceania Zone competitions and start pushing the top tier teams in Asia-Oceania events.''- Burton Shipley

The strategic goals Shipley mentioned which will be FIBA's development pillars in the next cyle - Empower National Federations, Women in Basketball, Enlarge the FIBA Family.

Aside from his Vice President post, Shipley was also appointed as Board Member of FIBA's Foundation, the International Basketball Federation (IBF). Shipley went at length with his delight with the selection and shared that Oceania's experience with the Basketball For Good programs in Oceania is going to be a beneficial factor in his election.

"I am delighted with the appointment because it provides me with an opportunity to use the experience we've gained in using the Basketball For Good programs in the Oceania Zone and to be able to apply what we've used here to other areas of the world," he proudly said.

"I think basketball can make a great contribution- supported by the numbers and research we have produced in the last five years - it shows how much of a positive impact basketball and sport, in general, can make within communities," he added.

Looking ahead in the next four years, Shipley shared his vision and goals in this cycle for the Oceania Zone specifically mentioning the governance aspect of the Federations.

"I want to see Oceania continue to grow over the sound foundation that we have established in the last term. We have several of our Federations growing strongly in the last few years and we want everyone to rise with us," Shipley said

"I want us to help improve their standard of business management, both in Oceania and in the world. The goal is to set the standard of professionalism moving forward," he added.

Aside from the management standpoint the proud Kiwi also expressed his desire to witness the continued excellence of Australia and New Zealand in the world stage and see more competitive teams from the Oceania Sub-Zones.

"The representatives of Oceania in the World Cup made a lot of noise! Australia did incredibly well to finish fourth and beat some amazing teams and New Zealand while they are probably disappointed with where they finished, played some really good basketball and to see them beat Turkey for the first time was a good achievement." shared Shipley.

"The challenge is getting the other Federations to the next level, Guam, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and others to be more competitive in the Asia-Oceania Zone competitions and start pushing the top tier teams in Asia-Oceania events," he added.

Shipley expressed his confidence that the goals of the Zone are attainable with the momentum built in the last term and strong cooperation of the 22-strong Federation member of the Oceania Zone.

"We want to help basketball go higher up the tree as far as funding and support within Oceania. While also growing the game around the world through good values and work that we provide for member federations. It will take a lot of hard work but we are prepared to work hard," he proudly ended.

FIBA