New Caledonia – WNBL Champion coach Claudia Brassard will conduct a series of coaching workshops to discover future coaches and help in the overall development of basketball in New Caledonia from May 15-27.  This visit is part of the New Caledonia Action plan developed in March 2018 at the FIBA office on the Gold Coast.

Brassard is excited with the prospect of helping New Caledonia reach their potential in the game of basketball with various workshops and developmental programs planned in her first trip to the country.

“I’m really excited about being able to share my passion and knowledge of the game of basketball with the coaches and athletes of New Caledonia. They have made some great strides with their program in recent years and I’m excited to be able to contribute. I’ve never been to New Caledonia and I am looking forward to the experience,” said the 2000 Olympian.

Brassard, the former captain of Canada’s Senior Women’s basketball team is confident with what she can bring to the table in terms of her expertise and overall experience in the sport of basketball.

“I’ve been around the game my whole life and played and coached in a lot of different countries. I’m hoping to share my vast experience with the local coaches and athletes and assist them in growing their knowledge banks,” Claudia BrassardClaudia Brassard

“I am also involved in all levels of the game from U12 boys, U18 state team, U19 Australian women to WNBL. I’ll be able to adapt to the different levels and teach accordingly,” Brassard continued.

New Caledonia (NCL) has a rich basketball history despite being inhabited by less than 300,000 citizens. NCL is the second most decorated country in the FIBA Oceania Championships next to powerhouse Australia and in the inaugural 2017 FIBA Melanesia Cup, they placed second to qualify for the 2019 Pacific Games.

Brassard is looking forward to build New Caledonia’s national team’s confidence and preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games.

“This will really be about working collaboratively with them to reinforce their strengths and work on improving their weaknesses. We want to develop a thorough program plan that can take them through to the Games with the confidence that they will be as prepared as they can be for the competition,” said current JCL Townsville Fire coach.

Leaving no stones unturned, Brassard’s visit will also touch upon the growing influence of 3x3 in the region.

“3x3 is an exciting game that is growing bigger and bigger really quickly. The different style of the 3x3 competitions is exciting and a great opportunity for countries like New Caledonia as the gap between perennial basketball powers such as Australia and New Zealand is much smaller,” Brassard said.

The French-speaking coach is hoping she can influence the next generation of female coaches in New Caledonia.

“Hopefully through the various clinics, the female coaches will gain enough knowledge to give them the confidence to either start or continue coaching at all levels.  It’s important to remove that fear of failure and encourage them to stay involved. All coaches make mistakes, hopefully we don’t repeat them too often,” she shared.

A rich basketball history with full support from the their National Federation and continuous collaborative projects with FIBA Oceania, New Caledonia is set to add more to its growing legacy not only in the Oceania region but on a global scale.

“New Caledonia has lots of passionate people involved in its basketball program. This is always a key to getting to the next level,” Brassard ended.