Photo - From (L): FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker, FIBA Honorary President Bob Elphinston, Former FIBA Oceania President Barbara Wheadon, Current FIBA Oceania President Burton Shipley

SYDNEY  (FIBA Oceania) - FIBA Oceania celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 20, 2018, in Sydney, Australia at the Stamford hotel and was graced by founder and Honorary President Al Ramsay.

The momentous occasion also hosted FIBA Honorary President Bob Elphinston, Former president Barbara Wheadon, current president Burton Shipley, Executive Director David Crocker and several luminaries of the organization's 50-year history.

20 out of the 22 national federations including Australia and New Zealand sent representatives to join the festivities as the last approved zone of FIBA during the 1968 World Congress in Mexico.

FIBA Oceania's presidents from (L): Burton Shipley, Barbara Wheadon, Al Ramsay and Bob Elphinston

"It was a fantastic celebration and to see all the friends and family that has contributed to where FIBA Oceania is today was a spectacle to behold. We have a rich history and it is important to give credit to the great individuals that gave us a strong foundation," said FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker.

The celebratory dinner started with Elphinston paying tribute to the late FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann.

"Patrick is one of the most special people I've met in my life, his contribution to the growth of basketball is immeasurable. He is also a great friend to Oceania and supported our vision of developing the game of basketball throughout the Pacific region," said Elphinston.

Elphinston also shared with a heavy heart his memories of spending time with Patrick and his family during his tenure as president of FIBA from 2006 to 2010.

Elphinston interviewing Ramsay during the dinner

The guests were then treated to a phenomenal Q&A interview between Elpinston and the 95-year old forefather of Oceania basketball, Al Ramsay.

Ramsay and Elphinston exchanged thrilling anecdotes on the region's journey through its 50-year history that also included the historic and controversial 1972 gold medal game between the Soviet Union and the USA were Ramsay presided as a commissioner.

"In the 1960s, basketball was one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific nations had no home. So we did everything in our power to fight for the approval of the Oceania Basketball Confederation (OBC) approved in FIBA's World Congress in 1968."- Al Ramsay

Sir Lance Cross of New Zealand and Ramsay attended proposed the creation of the Oceania zone in 1968 and was approved unanimously by FIBA's board members.

Shipley concluded the night with his own tribute to Baumann and an inspiring message to the region.

FIBA Oceania Family after the workshop

"I was genuinely sad when I read in Bob's news story the other day when he talked about Oceania's challenges during his time. Funding, communication, and travel compare it to today, we still have the same problems. We have to find ways to continue to improve governance to further the growth of our game," said Shipley.

"But from what I saw from the people in attendance tonight and also the workshop earlier today, the future of Oceania basketball is in good hands," he added.

The 50th anniversary celebration also included a workshop for the national federations and a presentation of FIBA Oceania's performance since the 2014 Oceania Congress.

 FIBA