Noumea, NCL - With the changing times of the development of basketball, the New Caledonia Basketball Federation is aware that it must implement some new programs to make its leagues and national teams more competitive. Thus, in November 2017 the National Federation (NF) Board started setting up a development workplan, which highlighted areas that needed improvement.

The development of the referee program; setting up a national basketball centre for young players; increasing the number of women involved in basketball and the 3x3 development program are areas that were highlighted as priorities. New Caledonia are a French territory therefore they also work closely with the French Basketball Federation, who now have a better understanding on the NF’s objectives and can see how the activities listed in the workplan will achieve their goals.

The first stage of this project was held last week on the Gold Coast (AU) at the FIBA Oceania office, where a workshop took place with Bridget Delaveuve, Secretary General New Caledonia Basketball Federation and Jonathan Grady, Contractor and Facilitator. This workshop has given life to the workplan and according to Delaveuve, with the continued working relationship with FIBA, to achieve these goals will contribute to the success of the project.

New Caledonia is located in the Pacific Ocean with less than 300’000 inhabitants and because of the small population the NF struggles to find a number of national team players. The federation believes they have young players who have the potential, therefore they will be implementing grassroot programs to develop these players giving them a pathway to the national team. The transition from junior to senior national teams is also an opportunity for the NF to work with their junior players, providing them with the tools to then one day represent their country at senior level. With the Pacific Games in Samoa in 2019, both men and women have qualified from New Caledonia and their preparation will be an example of what the NF has prioritised in the workplan.

New Caledonia will be hosting the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship  in 2019 and their preparation for hosting this event was also highlighted in the workshop. Bridget Delaveuve said: “A proposal will be drawn up with the help of FIBA so that we will be able to get good sponsors and set up a suitable competition.”

“The long-term goal is to reduce the gap with the best teams in the continent, Australia and New Zealand. If they keep working hard, it will provide many interesting opportunities for their players to take part in great competitions” believes Jonathan Grady. He also mentioned that they came up with innovative ideas during this professional workshop.

Finally, the NF understand that they must follow accurately their project to improve every year. The NF Board are very excited about the support from FIBA and they look forward to working together to achieve their objectives.