Successful first gathering of new FIBA Oceania Board

BRISBANE – The new look FIBA Oceania Board have held a successful first meeting under the leadership of recently inaugurated FIBA Oceania President, Burton Shipley.

Tasked with overseeing the 2014-19 period,  Shipley was joined at the meeting in Brisbane, Australia by board colleagues Scott Derwin, Deb Shoniber, Greg Williamson, Thierry Durand, Tony Thompson and also FIBA Oceania Secretary General, David Crocker.

"The Board have set some big goals for the Zone to strive for," declared a delighted Shipley who is also a FIBA Executive Committee member.

"Doubling the participation of basketball is a big ambition, but is achievable if we make good choices in the programmes we support and how we use the collective resources within the Oceania Zone."

The Board considered eight main issues during the meeting and these included a governance education session, a meeting with the Pacific Games Council Executive Officer and a financial induction process for the Board.

Much also focused on looking ahead and there was a review of the proposed calendar of competition through to 2021 and the setting of some key objective which will see the aims of   doubling the number of basketball participants in the Pacific, increasing the profile of basketball and its stars within targeted Federations and also increasing the governance, management and financial administration of targeted Federations.

"The opportunities being afforded to Federations in the Oceania Zone now with the combination of Asia and Oceania for competition purposes is extensive," added Shipley in respect of the exciting change to the calendar and competitons. 

"Traditionally only Australia or New Zealand have qualified to play outside of the Zone. 

"But from 2017, up to four teams in both male and female and senior and youth categories will qualify to play in the new and joint phase of world qualification with Asia".

FIBA