New model for Fiji basketball

Basketball Fiji hopes to introduce a Long Term Athlete Development programme, says Laisiasa Puamau.
The Basketball Fiji development officer made the comment after four-day-Tuckers Ice Cream Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which ended in Suva on Thursday. Puamau said the programme would focus on educating coaches on basketball specifics with the goals of having a mass number of coaches teaching the same things to each player.
“The LTAD model will ensure that coaches are teaching the right volume of basketball for each of three age groups (U15, U17 and U19) in accordance to the Tuckers Ice Cream Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship,”he said.
“Basketball Fiji in partnership with Tuckers Ice Cream and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have a common goal and that is to create more opportunities for youths through age group competition and to build on the participation number of schools and teams for next year’s championship in particular in the Western and Central divisions.
“On that note the Basketball Fiji would like to thank all the new and traditional schools who participated this year,” Puamau said. He added the tournament would not have been a success without the hardworking teachers who unselfishly gave up their time during the school holidays to support their students explore and enjoy the game of basketball.
“The tournament was a success as Basketball Fiji was able to record for a fourth year a growth in number of secondary school players and teams registered in the event.
“The support system for the respective teams in relation to crowd support, old scholars, parents, coaches and teachers really brought out the best out of each team’s that participated.”

29 students get the nod

Twenty-nine students have been selected to tour Australia in November for the Federation of International Basketball Association Pacific Youth Under-19 tournament.
Basketball Fiji’s development officer Laisiasa Puamau says the 29 players comprise 16 boys and 13 girls.
Puamau said the international event was held every second year and the best record for Basketball Fiji was in 2002.
“That was when the boys’ team beat Australia to win gold in Tonga and the women’s team finished with a silver medal,”Puamau said.
“In the last tournament, which was held in New Caledonia in 2010, the girls’ team finished behind Australia and New Zealand beating host New Caledonia to take the bronze medal while the boys team finished 5th behind Australia, NZ, Guam and New Caledonia.”
The tournament will be held in Melbourne from November 24 to December 2.
The 29 players were selected after the four-day Tuckers Ice-Cream Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which finished on Thursday in Suva.
Girls:Tiayana Kainamoli, Vika Ramara, Donnis Kainamoli, Georgina Baleinacagi, Grace Taito, Wilma Cawi, Breeanna Kamsoo, Miliana Naivaluvou, Miliakere Koyamainavure, Lela Koyamainavure, Josifini Fifita, Elizabeth Seru, Maria Dabea.
Boys:Walter Vanuya, Lorima Sautu, Sairusi Kalou, Tule Mawi, Filimoni Seru, Josh Uluiviti, Iosefo Taliu, Isireli Vuetibau, Ulaiasi Koroi, Maika Nakora, Johnathan Kunau, Digitaki Kaci, George Patterson, Mataika Koyamainavure, Peter Gus and Josaia Qalotaki.
Meanwhile the results from  finals are: U19 boys – MBHS 38 NHS 37;U19 girls  ACS 26 SJSS 24;U17 boys LBSS 41 NHS 26;U17 girls SJSS 43 GHS 27;U15 boys LDS 26 – MBHS 16;U15 girls SJSS 22 – LDS 9.