PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) – The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea has thanked the Australian Defence Forces and FIBA for the success of the recent workshops in Port Moresby and Madang.

In most sports, there is a technical official who plays an important role in ensuring that the action takes place according to the rules. To ensure that the game is played in a fair and safe way, our basketball referees play an integral role.

The Australian Defence Forces (ADF) and FIBA coaching and officiating workshop ended on a high note with over one hundred participants graduating with FIBA Level 1 Start Coaching and Officiating Course.

President of the Basketball Federation of PNG (BFPNG), Emma Waiwai, thanked, ADF & FIBA for making this a reality.

“This has been one area that has been lacking in the last few years and for these organisations to come up and run these basic courses in coaching and refereeing sets the foundation for us to build on; and identify coaches and referees that we can take to the next level: so hopefully it’s not the last.”

“We thank all those involved for taking this training workshop outside of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD)”.

With NCD and Manang Town as the central hubs, the workshops saw participants from the Southern, Momase and the Highlands region of PNG participate. The training program was funded by the ADF, FIBA and BFPNG.

“It’s amazing how some participants had to travelled three weeks; some 10 hours and, other’s, from two to three -days to get to this workshop,” FIBA Oceania Development Manager, Annie Le Fleur said. “This was fascinating because it tells us that the demand is there, and participants want to learn and contribute meaningfully to basketball development in PNG.”.

The Training workshop ran concurrently between coaches and referees, with coaches starting in the classroom and referees starting on court and switching on day two of the workshops. Participants were also, given start-up kits such as start coaching/referee resource handbook, and uniforms, to take with them.

Eunice Wapi, Madang participant added; “The training was refreshing. Before in the village, we would make up the rules as we went along. I am thankful that, BFPNG, FIBA and ADF came to inform and upskill our officiating skills and knowledge. I have been elevated to another level, now I have the confidence to run a basketball match and I love the sport even more.”

The BFPNG thanks FIBA Oceania and ADF with special mentions to Jay Clarke (ADF Captain), Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Jo, Major Daniel Swifty ADF Army Officer, Operations Officer for ADF and Flight Sergeant Tatum, Annie Le Fleur FIBA Development Manager, and Peter Topp, Manager of Basketball for Good.