PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) – The PacificAus Sports Program and FIBA, have provided additional coaching support and mentorship for the Papua New Guinea men’s and women’s national teams ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.

Aligning with FIBA’s Strategic goal to boost grassroots basketball, the coaching support and mentorship program tipped off at the 2022 FIBA Melanesian Cup with both the men’s and women’s Papua New Guinea (PNG) teams being analysed and assessed for areas to improve on leading into the 2023 Pacific Games.

Following the 2022 FIBA Melanesian Cup, feedback was provided with phase two undertaken across a three-day high-performance camp in Port Moresby, PNG where the national teams and coaching staff were mentored by two Australian coaches, Carrie Graf, and Marcus Cusinato.

“The analysis of the PNG men’s team following the FIBA Melanesian Cup gave us good insight into where the teams were placed, highlighting gaps and opportunities for improvement,” Cusinato said. 

“At the training camp we were able to focus on skill development, concepts and decision making.  In skill development, for example, the biggest focus was shooting technique, so we worked with players and the coaching staff on how to best improve.”

The PNG national players surprised the Australian Coaching mentors with their athletic capabilities and ability to move the ball quickly and effectively through half-court.

“It was great to see all of the players be able to penetrate and get to the basket,” Cusinato said.  “The small-sided games we played, allowed players to develop so when they get to the basket, they can make the right decision.  I was impressed with the speed at which they were able to play and the consistency they demonstrated across the camp.”

With the Pacific Games on the horizon, Cusinato is eager to see how the men’s team will continue to improve and perform at the tournament.  “I feel that if the team continues to develop their skills, especially their shooting, they will be able to be very competitive and come away from the Pacific Games with more wins than loses – and hopefully a medal,” Cusinato said.  “Their lack of size is going to be their biggest challenge; however, the bigger teams won’t be able to sustain the pace that PNG play.”

Former Australian Opals Olympic Coach, Carrie Graf worked with the BPNG national women’s team during the training camp and was impressed with the team willingness to listen, learn, and adapt.

“As a female coach, seeing these athletes in PNG getting the same level of input and access to coaching resources and development is wonderful and for me personally, an enjoyable experience to share my knowledge,” Graf said.  “The PNG women’s team are coachable, well-structured and the coach’s strength and conditioning background is shining through."

“The women’s team is small is size so across the camp we worked on specific defensive techniques to counteract the bigger teams like Fiji and the Cook Islands who they will come up against at the Pacific Games.  I think their ability to learn and understand concepts is good, they all have a fantastic work ethic, team chemistry, and are positive towards each other and working together.  That will help them succeed because to be a great defensive team, you need to work together, focusing on defence as a smaller team will be a real advantage. “

Having mentored some of the PNG athletes in 2016 at a FIBA Youth Leaders Camp, Graf said it was great to connect again and to also work with the younger athletes.

“Some of the women recognised me from the Camp back in 2016 which was really humbling,” Graf said.  “All of the athletes were receptive to learning, they were a little bit shy to start, and so was I, but it was an enjoyable experience where I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and hopefully upskill others.”

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports and Team Up in partnership with FIBA Foundation.

FIBA