PORT VILA (Vanuatu) – The Vanuatu women's team will debut at the 2025 FIBA Women's Melanesian Cup next week, and they’re proud to step into the spotlight and represent their home nation.
They’re the unknown team, the team that no one can reference, and they’re ready to shock people and make history in Honiara this year. They’re determined to showcase their talent, earn respect, and inspire the next generation.
For these women, basketball isn’t just a sport – it’s a way of life.
Vanuatu women’s team player, Christina Kasten, has a passion for basketball that runs deep within her bloodline. “For me and my auntie, it’s a generation thing. From our grandfather and great-grandfather, and now to us, it’s making our family proud,” she said in a FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations article. Her passion for the sport goes beyond just the game itself.
It teaches teamwork and discipline, and it brings people together whether playing or watching - Christina Kasten
Kasten and her team are being led by Coach Mildred Izono, who recently attended the Women LEAD Basketball Program hosted in Canberra. Izono has been involved in Vanuatu basketball since her own 2009 FIBA Melanesian Cup debut, and she’s been working hard to develop her coaching skills to mentor this year’s national players.
“The program really changed the way I approach coaching,” Izono said. “I learned that being a good coach isn’t just about teaching basketball skills, it’s about helping each player grow as a person and a leader. Now, I make sure to listen to my players, encourage them to make decisions, and build a team culture where everyone supports each other. It’s been rewarding to see them grow both on the court and as leaders.”
Izono is ready to implement the skills she learned during this workshop into her coaching style during the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup. She’s prepared to give everything she’s got to the women on the court representing Vanuatu.
I’ll focus on creating a team environment where each player feels empowered, motivated, and ready to give their best, both individually and together - Coach Izono
The FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup will be hosted by the Solomon Islands Basketball Federations in Honiara from October 13 to 18. The event will be supported by the National Sports Council, with the two teams qualifying for the Pacific Games 2027 in Tahiti. All games will be livestreamed via the FIBA YouTube Channel courtesy of TTV Solomons Islands.