PAPUA NEW GUINEA -- The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) held their U15 National Championships in Port Moresby last on July 4-6. The event was also used to select the pool of training squad of players in preparation for the FIBA U15 Oceania Championship – to also be held in Port Moresby in December.

After three days of intense competition Alotae and Lae of the girls and boys division took home the U15 national championship respectively.

"The competition was very impressive in our national championships. All the players played really well it was not a one-sided affair, not one team is far ahead of everybody. Everyone was evenly matched," said BFPNG Executive Officer Stephen Damien.

"After the competition we selected the training pool for the FIBA Oceania U15 championship. We are very happy with our selection," he added.

BFPNG and FIBA Oceania arranged for Grant Wallace from Australia to attend the Championships and conduct a series of coaching workshops while also helping out on the selection process of their U15 teams.

Read more here: PNG pulling out all the stops in preparation for Oceania U15 Championship

"We had Coach Grant Wallace for a few days to hold clinics for our coaches and technical officials and he also had sessions with the junior teams," shared Damien.

Wallace who is the Manager for Basketball Operations in Basketball Victoria shared his assessment of the tournament to Damien and acknowledged the talent of the players in Papua New Guinea.

"Coach Grant gave his observation and said that kids got plenty of energy and raw talent. We just need to give them more structure and discipline to maximize their strengths while also pointing out that we need to improve the shooting of our players," said Damien.

Photo: Grant Wallace (right) conducting a session with Papua New Guinea's coaches

FIBA Oceania Competitions Manager, Amanda Jenkins is elated with Papua New Guinea's ongoing preparation for the U15 Oceania Championships in December.

"We are happy with how Papua New Guinea is preparing for the FIBA U15 Oceania Championship. They now have a few months to train and learn to play with each other," Jenkins said. ‘FIBA’s focus over the last few years has been really about helping our nations prepare adequately for Oceania championships. A key area we identified were teams were not preparing early enough so it is great to see PNG having a process and plan in place with this age group” Jenkins added

"Grant Wallace's visit provided coaches and players a new voice and new way of looking at the game, he has great experience and is highly rated in Australia so it will bode well for PNG's coaches," she added. Wallace’s visit follows BFPNG participating in high performance and tournament coaches workshops over the last 6 months.

The coaching staff of both teams are already named and leading the Girls squad will be Head Coach Moi Muri, Assistant Coaches Betty Angula, Marca Muri and team manager Gela Lucas. While the Boys' squad will be led by Head Coach Patrick Ani, Assistant Coaches Percy Aaron, Richard Arava and Team Manager, Jordan Sere.

Photo: Deputy Prime Minster Charles Abel  (right)  in the ceremonial toss of the U15 championships

"We have already appointed the coaching staff and officials for both teams. Moi Mouri who is also the national head coach of the women’s national team will be the Girls' team coach while Patrick Ani will coach the U15 boys team," said Damien,

The coaching staff of both teams are already named and leading the Girls squad will be Head Coach Moi Muri, supporting Coach Muri will be Assistant Coaches Betty Angula, Marca Muri and team manager Gela Lucas. While the Boys' squad will be led by Head Coach Patrick Ani, coach Ani will be aided by, Assistant Coaches Percy Aaron, Richard Arava and Team Manager, Jordan Sere.

"We will have a training camp on September to trim down the pool and then another one in November to finalize our lineup," Damien shared.

Below are the players named to the pool:
Boys pool:
Edwin Kanitaus (Alotau)
Deldelya Jarope (Alotau)
Jordan Abel (Alotau)
Jabez Lucas (Alotau)
Karths Harper (Alotau)
Jabess Malikai (Lae)
Brown Aihi (Lae)
Ruben Galang (Lae)
Jephan Bousougu (Lae)
Paulus Malikai (Lae)
Elizah Bonga (Lae)
Frank Kaisa (PoM White)
Daniel Russel (PoM White)
Kevin Hani (PoM White)
Torres Koiti (PoM White)
Ian Michael (PoM White)
Ethan Tsiamalili (PoM Black)
Paitien Smare (PoM Black)
Ray Whitchurch (PoM Black)
Morea Frank (PoM Black)
Harold Elavo Jnr (PoM Black)
William Bray (PoM Black)
Ruben Kila (PoM Black)
Atti Charlie Bradley (PoM Black)
Junior Struik (PoM Black)

Girls pool:
Gloria Kaiawa (Alotau)
Philomena Isel (Alotau)
Sanely Bagelo (Alotau)
Jelena Irofe (Alotau)
Elaine Romea (Alotau)
Liliane Basinuro (Alotau)
Jessica Pege (Lae)
Bianca Tukayo (Lae)
Maureen Kai (Lae)
Julianne Aia (Lae)
Esther Mannaseh (Lae)
Haroldyne Ipang (Lae)
Luan Muri (PoM White)
Rabbie Rawali (PoM White)
Princess Kaore (PoM White)
Philomena Arek (PoM White)
Jessica Kake (PoM Black)
Kalista Kotoveke (PoM Black)
Lynette Lelai (PoM Black)
Alison Kila (PoM Black)
Elanoa Davani (PoM Black)