PALM ISLAND (Australia) - For the first time, FIBA's Basketball For Good program visits Palm Island, a small island off of the cost of Queensland mostly occupied by indigenous communities. The visit was made in partnership with Australian Indigenous Basketball (IBA), PCYC Indigenous Programs, Basketball Queensland (BQ), FIBA and the FIBA Foundation.

The visit included various Basketball For Good clinics in schools and a 3x3 tournament at the Palm Island PCYC attended by over 50 kids.

The Basketball For Good messaging is about social inclusion, Women's Empowerment, getting girls to play more.

 "What we're trying to do is bring basketball to Palm Island, it's a community that loves the sport. We want to establish 3x3 competitions to give a taste of what basketball is about." shared Joel Khalu BQ Indigenous Pathways Program Manager.

"Hopefully they develop a lifelong love for the sport and get on a pathway to continue to play the game and reach higher levels," he added.

FIBA Oceania Development Manager, Annie La Fleur led the Basketball For Good advocacy with the focus on social inclusion.

"We're excited to be here, being out in the community trying to get as many girls playing basketball. The Basketball For Good messaging is about social inclusion, Women's Empowerment, getting girls to play more. so it's nice to see that happen at the clinics," shared La Fleur.

The Basketball For Good programs in Oceania aims to attract and retain participants, focusing on women and girls, as well as providing safe, inclusive, and accessible environments to help enable participants to enjoy their basketball experiences.

The partnership with FIBA, the FIBA Foundation, IBA, BQ, and PCYC is trying to reach more places in Australia to introduce the game including last year's trip to Doomadgee and Mornington Island.

FIBA