FIBA Basketball

    Regional office in Oceania secures a golden future

    SOUTHPORT – The Gold Coast is providing a new home for the FIBA Regional office in Oceania after an exciting page turned in a place where there's a real buzz ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

    SOUTHPORT – The Gold Coast is providing a new home for the FIBA Regional office in Oceania after an exciting page turned in a place where there's a real buzz ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

    FIBA President Horacio Muratore was on hand to oversee the office switch as he met with Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate as well as representatives from GOLDOC (Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation) and Basketball Australia.

    "The sports future on the Gold Coast is very bright indeed with the hosting of the Commonwealth Games and the major infrastructure redevelopment taking place," enthused Muratore.

    "I have been pleased to meet with the GC2018 Organising Committee Chief Executive, Mark Peters and hear first hand the plans not only for basketball, but the legacy for the community with ongoing access to quality venues.

    "It was a pleasure to meet with the leadership of basketball in Queensland.

    "The Oceania President, the Australian CEO, the Queensland President and CEO and the local Gold Coast President's and General Manager's all sat down and discussed the strengths and opportunities that exist for basketball.

    "It was encouraging to hear the passion that these people have for our game and I leave the Gold Coast today believing the future is very positive.

    "FIBA is also very honoured to have received a traditional welcome ceremony by the local indigenous community."

    FIBA have taken the distinction of becoming the first major sporting organisation to secure a long term future on the Gold Coast with the city's support – a fact not lost on Mayor Tate.

    "This is the first sporting organisation the city has attracted through our new Sport Attraction Programme and the first centred on the new indoor sporting facilities being constructed for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018)," he confirmed.

    "This is a tremendous boost for the city and another positive step towards improving the Gold Coast's reputation as a sporting hub and growing our sporting economy.

    "We extend a very warm welcome the FIBA Oceania staff, who will be based in an office suite in the Southport Central building.

    "To have FIBA as anchor tenants here is another feather in our cap."

    Meanwhile Commonwealth Games Minister, Kate Jones added, "The investment in sporting and community infrastructure associated with the Games is helping position the Gold Coast as world class host of major events and a great place to do business and invest.

    "With basketball set to be a popular sport during the Games, FIBA's relocation to the Gold Coast can only help build the excitement towards 2018."

    Preparing to lead his team in their new home in Southport is FIBA Regional Director, David Crocker who was quick to point out the robust business case for the move.

    "We have 21 countries we will service - destinations we can reach directly from Gold Coast Airport including Asia, which gives us far greater access to the basketball family across the Pacific," stated Crocker.

    "The cost of doing business here along with the decision to purchase the office suite gives us a lower cost base, allowing greater reach with our resources.

    "We already feel welcome and we will be demonstrating the benefits of the City's investment as we establish an enduring base here.

    He continued, "In September, we will host a Pacific Women's Leadership Programme with 12 fellows coming from our Federations for a 10-day workshop.

    "We are partnering with the local Gold Coast Basketball Associations for a 3x3 event that will bring in 16 teams from the Pacific plus a number of local teams.

    "In March 2016, we will host a three-day congress with 40-plus participants.

    "We are also bringing 10 new full time residents to the Gold Coast as our families settle here.

    "We are genuinely committed to Gold Coast for the long term," he concluded.

    FIBA