Queensland (Australia) – Basketball is more than just a game – it is a means of empowering, education and change. FIBA Foundation’s Basketball for Good Programs is using the game to challenge the principles of gender, promote participation, and provide new opportunities for women and girls in the region.
With a successful pilot in Suleiman Island, the program is now reaching more communities, including Fiji, where young athletes and coaches themselves are experiencing how basketball equality platforms can be.
To empower young players through the game
For many participants, hips for equality are nothing more than just learning how to draw or shoot – it’s about building confidence and changing the vision.
Basketball Fiji’s hips for the equation program, a young co -co -operative Lata Dev, had never played basketball this year but has already accepted it as one of his favorite sports.
He highlighted the comprehensive nature of the program, “This is actually good. There is a diverse group of people from different religions, backgrounds and different ages.”
Beyond basketball skills, the move includes life lessons on gender equality, in which coaches conduct designing exercises that promote debate about justice and inclusion.
“The coach had exercises where we were working about rights – bounced and driving on our answers. There were really some good questions, such as ‘girls should be given the opportunity to play basketball or games?’ And other topics related to equality, “Estha explained.
For girls like Estha, sports programs like Hopes for equality play an important role in breaking cultural barriers that often restrict women’s participation in sports.
“In many countries of the Pacific, girls are lagging behind in sports because of traditions, customs, and sometimes parents are not educated or they cannot afford it,” he said.
To develop a coach as a leader
Beyond the players, Hopps are also developing the next generation of basketball coaches for equality, and are equipped with tools tools to encourage and help their communities.
One of the coaches, Abigil Tawara, started playing at high school, stepped into coaching by encouraging a guardian.
“Because of my interest in basketball, my coach said, ‘If you want to develop more in coaching, why don’t you come here?’ So I was like, ‘OK, of course!’ “He shared.
Only teaching skills for equality, coaching within the hips is about creating an environment where girls feel empowered to participate.
“It is important because it encourages girls to know that they are not limited. When I first started, there were not many basketball players or teams. But through basketball, I was able to understand that men are not the only ones who can master it – women can do it too.”
“It is important because it shows girls that they can actually step. They have power and they have knowledge, they have skills, and if they have passion, they can move forward and do it. Through basketball, I have been able to discover that they are not limited to men, but also women.
Commitment to empower national federations
The FIBA Regional Office – Oceania is committed to supporting the National Federation (NFS) in enhancing the game for a long time and making basketball more accessible. Through the hoops for equality, the FIBA is reinforcing the lower levels, while its involvement is reinforcing.
The Executive Director of the Regional Office, Amanda Jenkins, emphasized the importance of empowering national federations to create a lasting change.
“Hopes for equality are no more than just a basketball program – it’s a catalyst for change. By equipment with their national federations with their tools, training and resources, we are making sure that gender involvement and empowerment are part of sports culture in the atotoes – for both of the baskets to create a florist. For
Lasting effect in Oceania
The success of the hoops for equality is proof of the FIBA’s commitment to empower the National Federations (NFS) across the Ocean. By connecting basketball with social education, the program provides a platform for young girls and female coaches seeking, growing and leading.
Through the expansion of Fiji, Solomon Islands and beyond, Hopes for equality are setting a new standard for comprehensive sports programs in the Pacific – where basketball is not just a game, but a change movement.
FIBA proudly proud of the Australian government in Oceania, Pacific SportsAnd Team -up. It is very important to support women in promoting basketball development and empowering the lower levels and empowering women in basketball measures.
President
