Some 33 young men and 27 young women have been selected into the National Youth Squad Program for 2008.  The National Youth Men's Squad and the National Youth Women's Squad will lose no time in starting their 2008 program with their conditioning program commencing on Monday 18th February at the Fiji Post Athletic Track and early rises will become the norm as training commences at 5.30am.  Each squad will train on the track for 3 mornings per week.  The squad strength program will be conducted at home with a body weight program.  This is due to the Hyundai Weight Gym being almost fully occupied of a morning by the National Women's and Men's squads.  On court practice will commence in April for the National Youth Squads.

From these squads, a men's and a women's team will be selected to compete in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament that will be held in Guam in late Septermber.  Unlike past programs that have prepared teams for this bi-annual event, the National Youth Squads will follow an annual program and this is all periodized for the next 4 years until the end of 2011. 

The National Youth Squad Program is a very important development stage in the NDP to bring through more talented and skillful players into the Fiji National Senior Teams of the future.  All squads in the NDP will learn the same offences and defences and so at any time a player could be elevated into a higher squad or team and immediately fit right in.  By the time these young players reach the National Senior Squads they will have a good understanding if the Fiji style of play.

At the meeting of players and their parents in the VIP Lounge of Vodafaone Arena on Saturday 16th, NBDO Fanny Simpson outlined how the National Youth Squads fitted into Basketball Fiji's NDP.  National Men's Coach, Paul Whippy spoke on the past performances of Fiji teams in international competitions and National Women's Coach, Michael Whippy spoke of the direction and vision for the future in Basketball Fiji.  After a short presentation on the 2008 program, the squads were inrtoduced to their coaches and managers.

The National Youth Women's Squad Head Coach is Peni Ratumaiyale, Assistant Coach is Poseci Moce and Manager is Rosie Taito.  The National Youth Men's Squad Head Coach is Alfred Schuster, Assistant Coach is Laisiasia Paumau and Manager is Caroline Whippy.  

Following this the Squads had therir photos taken and were handed their cd of information along with their diary and recordrng sheet booklet.  The diary will assist them to plan their daily tasks for family and school commitments as well as basketball activities.  The recording sheets will allow the players to develop as elite athletes by having them record a whole range of personal information including resting heart rates, daily diet, sleep patterns, training recovery, body weight as well as their conditioning and strength records.

The National Youth Men's Squad is:   Peter Chambers, Bua Chee, Douglas Compain, Riji Levaci, Lyndon Leibreights, Martin Leibreights, Orisi Naivalarua, Mosese Nataika, Manasa Nawavuka, Richard Olsen, George Patterson, Michael Prasad, Allan Price, Manoa Paumau, Filimino Ralogaivau, Solomini Raravula, Joji Ratuva, Jonasa Ryder, Rabici Savou, Tua Schuster, Josefa Serulagilagi, Jese Sikivou, Reginald Singh, Jone Tagivetaua, Samu Taukei, Nathan Tudreu,  Neil Tudreu, Patrick Veidreyaki, Colin Watling, Dillon Whippy, Jarrod Whippy, Joshua Whippy, Waymann Whippy.

The National Youth Women's Squad is: Jacquline Ah Jack, Renata Cinavilakeba, Vika Fifita, Brittany Hazelman, Florence Hill, Katherine Jitoko, Elina Kotobalavu, Mili Koyamainavura, Laisa Matairakula, Vere Matanisiga, Ofa Moce, Cecelia Oliver, Natasha Ratuva, Akosita Ravato, Elizabeth Sautu, Talica Sautu, Leah Seru, Charlotte Simpson, Nandika Singh, Mareta Tailasa, Elizabeth Taito, Grace Taito, Taki Tamani, Elenoa Tubua, Venina Wailevu, Jodie Whippy