Basketball focuses on budding players

BASKETBALL Fiji is taking a new approach in their bid to help in the development of the sport from the grassroots level.

The association has started inviting age group clubs from overseas to tour Fiji and help raise the profile of the game locally.

Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau said the initiative started with a Canadian club visiting our shores earlier this year.

This club played two development teams from Raiwaqa.

"It (overseas teams touring Fiji) allows our budding players to oversee another style of basketball," Puamau said.

"Our players get a chance to learn those skills which in future could be vital for them as basketball players."

Puamau said the national body also benefitted from the touring clubs. He said those teams gave them a chance to restructure their development programs to ensure they were in line with the top basketball playing nations.

"We don't have funds to send big contingents overseas, so we are trying to revert the cycle by inviting others to come and play our teams," Puamau said.

"We are trying to reduce the gap (in terms of development) with Australia and New Zealand and these touring teams give us a chance to finetune our development programs."

Meanwhile, Monaro High School from New South Wales, Australia has confirmed their tour to Fiji next year.

According to a report on the coomaexpress.com.au, the school will send a 21-player squad to play four to five games.

Alongside playing, the team is planning to stay overnight in a traditional Fijian village and pay a visit to an island in Fiji.

"The trip will be the third basketball tour for Monaro High School and all participants are excited about the tropical location," the report said.

"Lautoka, Fiji is very interested in developing their basketball and was extremely welcoming of the group.

"The school students intend to donate their playing uniforms and other resources at the conclusion of the tour to their Fijian hosts."

Puamau said teams from Tuvalu and New Zealand had also shown interest in participating at next year's Easter Championship.

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper