VANUATU -- The South Efate Primary School Sports Association (SEPSSA) and Vanuatu Basketball Federation (VBF) successfully held the U11 3x3 and U9 basketball tournament last July 18-19 at the Korman Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The ground-breaking tournament attracted seven schools for the U11 competition with Vila North claiming victory in the boys and girls division while the U9 competition featured 13 schools with Central School taking the championship over Melemaat.

"We decided to do a 3x3 tournament for the U11 category, as we could run more games for the kids. They all enjoyed a discipline that was very new for them," said National Basketball Development Officer Sacha Duthu.

"We hope to see some of those kids on our Saturday morning (July 21) kids programs, Pikinini Hoops, for kids from U7 and U13," he added.

The Vanuatu Basketball Federation is ramping up their activities in the second half of this year lining up more youth-oriented and grassroots programs to develop the game of basketball.

"We will have more tournaments coming through the year, but more for U13, U15 & U18 players, as we launched our School academies for those categories in four Port-Vila schools," said Dutu. "They will compete in those monthly tournaments, that should start from late August," he added.

The continued development of Vanuatu Basketball is a welcome sign for FIBA Oceania, and Competitions Manager Amanda Jenkins is ecstatic with the recent developments of the Pacific Island.

"We (FIBA Oceania) are delighted with Vanuatu Basketball Federation's commitment to their grassroots program. I think their focus on youth development is the best path they can take to get better as a nation and we hope to see them soon in official FIBA competitions," said Jenkins.

"Basketball is coming on the front scene of sport in Vanuatu: a 3x3 senior tour on Efate, a 5x5 championship, competitions and activities for kids. We get to reach more people, from different horizons, and we do hope that we will maintain the momentum until the end of the year." Dutu shared.

With the surplus of development programs, tournaments and youth events; Vanuatu's basketball scene is primed to take the next step in their basketball development.