FIJI under-19 women's coach Dale Wise expects intense competition for the final 10 places in the national squad that will compete in the FIBA U19 Oceania Championship 2014 in December.

Basketball Fiji released the the names of the 20-member men's and women's teams over the weekend which will be trimmed to 10 for the championship to be held from December 1 to 6 in Suva.

Both teams started with their second phase of training yesterday.

Wise said they had a mixture of young and experienced players in the team.

Experienced Tiyanna Kainamoli alongside netball players Vilisi Tavui, Sereana Maragi and Maliana Rusivakula have made the cut in the 20-member team.

"It will be tough for us. We have a talented squad and the battle to make the final team will be intense." We are looking for players with the right attitude and commitment in the final team. By early next month, we will trim the team down to 15 and by November 1, we will have the final 10-member team plus three reserves."

The championship which is the qualifier for the World U19 Championship will also have top guns New Zealand and Australia taking part.

Wise said they were eyeing the top three finish which will keep them in contention for a berth in the world event.

According to a statement from Basketball Fiji, both coaches were confident and happy with their squad.

"Fitness and skill level improvement, attendance and discipline were the main criteria's for the selection," the statement said.

"The Tuckers Ice Cream National Secondary School Basketball Championships was also used by the coaches as the platform to measure their players' performance. The national training squad consists of one development player for the women's and two development players for the men's team."

The men's team also includes overseas-based player Nathan Manuel. Fiji U19 development officer Valerie Nainima will assist the coaches in the preparation.

"Nainima is here to assist the Fiji team before she sets off to Fordham University to take up the video co-ordinator coaching position.

"Fordham University is a division 1 basketball university and this will make Nainima the first Fijian to coach the sport at a professional level."

Teams

Men's - Guard - Joseph Wise, Timoci Kean, Apisalome Lutuciri, Eapi Nabou, Joshua Wong Lee, Nelson Xie, Johnny Dyer; Forwards - Francis Bulai, Nathan Manuel, Jone Yavaca, Joshua Tuibua, Matai Taito, Tawake Temo Balerotuma, Gregory Ligani, Viliame Banivanua; Centre - Richard Misau, Serupepeli Uru, Mikael Grey, Tomasi Tawake, Alipate Bolabasaga; Development - Josua Qalovi Vugona, Joshua Bulatale

Women's - Guard - Tiyanna Kainamoli, Lice Ravai, Kuini Ratumaiyale, Catherine Burese, Vika Ramara, Lini Racule, Emily Veivutuni, Catherine Balenagaga; Forward - Brittney Kamsoo, Bitila Tawake, Tavenisa Soroinakula, Maraia Nagatalevu, Mereani Lewadrau, Vilisi Tavui, Kelera Koyamainavure, Sereana Maragi, Maliana Rusivakula, Kelera Mocenacagi, Titilia Vakaoca, Matila Vocea; Development - Ella Koroi.

 

Source: <http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=279796>  Rashneel Kumar, Tuesday, September 09, 2014