Port Vila (Vanuatu) - Vanuatu and New Caledonia organized a "Friendly Games"  Women's Basketball 3x3 event in Port Vila as part of their preparation to the 2019 Pacific Games last weekend.

Vanuatu Basketball Federation (VBF) National Basketball Development Officer Sach Duthu shared the process of organizing the games.

"The New Caledonia basketball committee contacted us following the tour of one of their club’s team, Poindimié, earlier on January. They were interested in facing the women’s team as we are the current Pacific Mini Games bronze medalist," said Duthu.

New Caledonia Basketball Federation Secretary General Bridget Delaveuve graced the games and stated her satisfaction regarding their participation in the Friendly Games.

"It was a great experience for our girls and the coach. It was an opportunity to get a level of performance for our women's team preparing for the games," said Delaveuve.

"Even if this trip had a financial cost it is profitable to all and launched us on the right path to the games. Our 3x3 female New Caledonian team will be ready to go in the Pacific Games," she added.

Photo: New Caledonia team with VBF officials

The Friendly Games featured six games over the 2-day event and the two countries evenly split the games with 3 wins and 3 loss.

Vanuatu was represented by Antoinette Basil, Amilia Kasten, Lola Izono, Frances Izono, Pauline Malanga, Jessie Malverus and Nancy Patterson.

New Caledonia's teams are bannered by Elia Massette, Nicky Francois, Zoréna Adjouhgniope, Adeline Souque, Yolene Koteureu, Coralie Forest, Camille Barbe and Cecile Bregeon.

"You need competition in your preparation, to keep the players focused and motivated for something. It’s a very long preparation (for the Pacific Games), almost 5 months, to prepare towards 2 main competitions so that weekend was a key moment for the team to feel the spirit of competition," said Duthu.

"The VBF would like to thank Bridget Delaveuve, New Caledonia Basketball General Secretary, and her husband Jean-Marc, the team’s coach, for the opportunity given to our players to share that weekend with their team," Duthu added.

FIBA