SUVA (Fiji) - One of the most active coach volunteers for Basketball Fiji's community programs is Thomas Acosta, who hails from the Philippines.

Acosta started his journey with Basketball Fiji as a volunteer Assistant Coach and Team Manager to Fiji's Men's team in the 2017 FIBA Melanesian Cup.

"When I arrived in Fiji in 2017, I was at home taking care of my kid Ocen, my wife who works for the World Health Organization pushed me to apply for a managerial opening. She saw a post on the Basketball Fiji page," shared Acosta, who moved to Fiji in 2017 with his family.

The Fiji team managed to qualify for the 2019 Pacific Games, and from there on, his journey as a volunteer with Basketball Fiji continued with their Basketball For Good programs.

"At first when I observed some of their community programs, I believed I could bring something to the table. I have some knowledge of basketball because where I'm from it's the most popular sport," Acosta shared.

"I asked Lai who was the COO of Basketball Fiji if I can help out during a session of Bula Hoops," he added.

As the saying goes, the rest is history.

"My son loves basketball and back home I would enroll him in basketball clinics and I just applied some of the things I observed to the program, which focuses on teaching basic fundamental basketball skills," he shared.

Photo: Acosta (left) part of the Bula Hoops program online coaches

Acosta became the head of the Bula Hoops program from 2017 to 2019 and continued to volunteer, because of the fulfillment he gets in teaching the kids including his son.

"There's a special feeling of seeing kids appreciate your genuine intention in teaching them basketball. Basketball is not a popular sport here in Fiji, but every time we have a session and you see their smiling and happy faces, it's a magical feeling," he proudly shared.

Basketball Fiji's COO, Laisiasa Puamau shared his gratitude to Acosta and commended the Filipino for his generosity in giving his time and effort for the Federation.

"We are very grateful to Thomas for all the things he has done for us. He has helped us in any way he can from the national team to the grassroots programs," said Puamau.

"What's even more amazing is he even refuses to take any compensation for all the volunteer work he's done for us," he added.

Acosta bared that the support that the Federation and basketball, in general, is getting whether from the government or private sector is a far cry from what the sport is getting compared to his home country.

"It's still quite unbelievable to me how basketball is almost at the bottom of the interest of people here in Fiji. I love the game and witnessing basketball grow throughout my stay here is priceless," he said.

"I have kids that I taught a few years ago who are still messaging me about their basketball journey even after moving out of Fiji. It just fills my heart and I love what I'm doing," he added.

Photo: Acosta (third from left) joined the FIBA Oceania U15 High-Performance Workshop in 2017

Basketball Fiji even sent Acosta as a representative of the country to FIBA in Oceania's High-Performance Workshop held in the Gold Coast in 2018.

"I remember as a manager I was assisting the federation as a volunteer in their small steps in high performance, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend FIBAs High-Performance Training in Australia," he said.

Acosta commended Basketball Fiji and its members as a tight-knit group of individuals working together as one for their love of the game.

"I feel like everyone who works in basketball here in Fiji treats each other like family. They have something special and the game is growing and hopefully continues to do so," he said.

"My dream is to one day help them establish a semi-pro league or an elite youth academy for the kids because there are a lot of talented kids that are yet to be discovered. Some have the potential to make it big even outside of the country," he added.

No one knows what the future holds with the pandemic ongoing and Acosta's family potentially moving away - but Acosta is firmly entrenched into the BF family and has assured his commitment will not waver as long they need him.

FIBA