Fijians have natural ability to play any sport, however there is a need to mould and train players at a very young age and expose them. This was the view of former Central Washington University coach Anna Tuiaea-Rudd who is in the country to conduct a coaching clinic for local clubs, players and coaches.
Tuiaea-Rudd, after the clinic at the Vodafone Arena yesterday, admitted that young players are hungry for basketball and they need more exposure and more competitions to lift their knowledge.
“Seeing these children turning up for the clinic is just marvelous,” Tuiaea-Rudd said. “This shows their love for the sport and how keen they are to know more and expose themselves to basketball.
“These players are naturally gifted, they have great hands and they are strong. “There shouldn’t be any reason why they wouldn’t rise to become professional players in the future.”
Tuiaea-Rudd says there is a need to have more basketball competitions in the country so that young players could expose and familiarize themselves with the sport. “This is the only way they can develop their knowledge. “The more they play, the better they understand the rules and the sport itself.
“It is also important that these kids get serious if they want to make basketball as a professional sport.” The clinics, funded by the US Embassy with the support of Basketball Fiji are run by Anna Tuiaea-Rudd, director of academic support services at University of Idaho, her husband, Jason Rudd, Amber Johnson and Kwan Johnson.
Basketball Fiji development officer, Laisiasa Puamau and former national basketball reps Mereleini Tora and Etuate Waqairawai were also part of the clinic.