FIBA to launch WiLEAD Internship Program for Pacific countries

GOLD COAST (Australia) - FIBA will launch its WiLEAD Internship program in 2021 to support one of FIBA's key objectives, Women in Basketball.

The Internship program will welcome successful applicants nominated by their respective National Federations in a long-term program that will be tailored to the applicants' skillset and availability.

"We are very excited with this program, we are hoping to see the growth of young female leaders that will eventually lead their country in some capacity that can help their respective Federations," shared FIBA Oceania Executive Director, David Crocker.

The first part of the program will include an online component that will provide professional development opportunities through online courses, workshops, and mentorships that will be run in the final months of 2021.

In the second part of the program, the participant will be required to develop a basketball-related project for their National Federation during their internship in Australia for implementation upon their return to their National Federation.

"The program has some similarities to our Women's Empowerment Workshop program in 2015, we intend to support the participants in any way possible to help accelerate their growth as leaders in their own right," shared Crocker.

"We are very proud of the accomplishments of the women leaders who were part of that workshop and hope to have the same effect with this program," he added.

The Women's Empowerment program participants include current FIBA Central Board Member Karo Lelai, FIBA Oceania Board Member Jubilee Kuartei among others.

The internship program requires the Federation to nominate participants that are at least 18 years of age and are involved with the National Federation in any capacity (administration, coach, player, referee).

"FIBA's desire of empowering Women in Basketball is one of the key objectives in this cycle and we believe this program will be a great addition to achieve those goals, we look forward to young promising female leaders leading the way in the future," Crocker shared.

FIBA