LUXEMBOURG (Luxembourg) - FIBA PLUS is continuing to deliver for the Luxembourg Basketball Federation who are appreciating the ongoing benefits and assistance it has provided in recent years.

FIBA PLUS, one of FIBA's global development programs, is enabling National Federations to develop strategies that increase their capacity to organize, professionalize and commercialize basketball activities. It is also an  essential component of FIBA's strategic priority to Empower National Federations.

Back in 2022, the Luxembourg Basketball Federation were already celebrating the fruits of working with FIBA specialists to develop a tailor-made performance program as part of their original engagement with FIBA PLUS.

Little more than 18 months later and there is another positive and updated story to tell, with the federation making good use of the available expertise and achieving some great results.

Firstly, they used the knowledge offered to modernize their governance practices, creating an updated structure and newly informed statutes. 

With the emphasis of the FIBA PLUS program being placed around performance, they have spent a lot of time and resources supporting the training of coaches and officials. There have been 11 clinics with 380 participants during the past 10 months. These have involved FIBA coaches, specialist sessions for table officials and also one dedicated to the development of Mini Basketball.

Luxembourg Basketball Federation #HerWorldHerRules activation 

That focus on encouraging young people to take up the sport was also consolidated into a number of 'Coaching Kids' sessions with 47 participants enrolled in an attempt to broaden the base of coaches. This was also very closely tied to another FIBA initiative - namely the renowned 'Her World, Her Rules' program. 

Meanwhile, on the court, the performance of Luxembourg teams has started to move on a positive and upwards trajectory, with a number of notable successes. 

They finished in second place at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket Division B 2023 and having gained promotion, will see one of their teams competing for the first time in Division A at the 2024 edition of the tournament. 

Luxembourg U18 Women's team at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket Division B 2023

The senior women also celebrated two wins in the first window of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, while the national team also reached the 3x3 FIBA Europe Cup 2023 in Jerusalem.

Samy Picard, President of the Luxembourg Basketball Federation, said: "We're thankful for the wealth of knowledge and information provided to us by the FIBA PLUS program.

"This initiative has enabled us to establish a clear timetable and pursue our set objectives. It has been instrumental in navigating the generational transition we've undergone in recent years and has facilitated the modernization of our governance structure."

Luxembourg at the 3x3 FIBA Europe Cup 2023

FIBA Executive Director Europe, Kamil Novak commented: "We are always delighted when we can support our National Federations and certainly the FIBA PLUS Program is also a great way to help deliver FIBA's strategic priority to Empower National Federations.

"The Luxembourg  Basketball Federation has shown their commitment by taking not just one step with their previous performance plan but using this as a launch pad to continue being progressive and improving across multiple areas. The results and outcomes on and off the court are very encouraging to see and I am sure more National Federations will be eager to come forward and make the most of FIBA PLUS."

FIBA