Basketball '+' creating waves of change across Oceania

SOUTHPORT - With the United Nation's International Day of Sport for Development and Peace fast approaching, we take a look at FIBA's Basketball '+' program.

Active in five (5) nations throughout Oceania and Asia, this program uses basketball as a community development tool. Each nation has its own key social objectives but the overall goal is to improve people’s lives through basketball.

Since its inception in 2014, Basketball '+' has helped thousands of people across the Pacific and Asia realise their love for the game and the power it has to positively affect their lives.

Basketball '+' in Fiji launched the 'Hoops for Health' (H4H) and 'Mum's a Hero' programs focusing on the awareness and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCD) plus increasing female participation. In the programs 21-months of activity, Basketball Fiji has touched the lives of 24,565 participants. From school children to local mothers, basketball has served as tool for the people of Fiji to improve their lifestyle, health and community.

"Before Hoops for Health I stayed home most of the time and was never interested in outdoors activities," said Fijian Mum's a Hero participant, Miri. "Having a proper diet was never important to me… [after participating in Mum’s A Hero] I now involve myself with outdoors activities in order to keep fit and stay healthy for my family."

Mum's A Hero program in Lautoka, Fiji

Basketball Fiji H4H school visit in Nehru

The Kiribati Basketball Federation's (KBF) H4H program teaches school children and the local community about the risks of NCD's and how this can be prevented. Kiribati's coaches have made a difference to all 7,550 participants who have joined them on court and in the classroom to learn and share their passion for basketball.

The KBF also use 3x3 basketball as a way to keep people fit and active. Many people who have never played basketball are discovering a great love for the sport; the KBF has even helped people who lost their love for the game many years ago, find it once again.

One such person is H4H participant Muieraoi who can be found at almost every KBF H4H event.

"At first I only played hoop for fun," said Muieraoi. "Now through the Hoops for Health program, I am starting on having this mentality as I have to play for my health. I managed to influence my two elder brothers to play the game not only for fun but also if they value their lives or health. I found myself happy as I get to know lots of people or players from other clubs. I haven't missed any basketball functions I get involved more and forget other influences like alcohol as I set my target to be the best basketball player in three years."

Kiribati's Hoops for Health program keeping the local community active

Women of Kiribati enjoying a H4H session 

Basketball '+' is still very new in Papua New Guinea but the community has embraced the program wholeheartedly. PNG is a proud nation full of passionate people, many of whom are big basketball fans. This is shown in the 3,131 participants the program has seen in just its first 8-months.

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) is keeping up with the demand for basketball in country by introducing the H4H, Twilight Basketball, Daytime Community Hoops and most recently Pikinini Hoops programs. Each of which target different sections of the community but all focus on a healthy lifestyle and positively impacting youth social behaviour in PNG.

"It's about much more than just promoting Basketball," stated BFPNG Chief Executive Officer Joel Khalu. "It is about utilising the sport to make a positive impact on the community. We're creating an avenue for kids to get off the streets and into a positive environment, where they can play sport for free and get educated on various ways to live happier and healthier lives."

PNG's Pikinini Hoops program

H4H visit to St Joseph's International Catholic College in PNG

Timor-Leste's 'Mum's a Hero' program encourages more females to participate in basketball activities and feel empowered. The program is aimed at mothers in communities who can have an impact on the habits of their families.

Timor-Leste's 'Mum's a Hero' program bringing basketball to the community

Timor-Leste Coaches encourage everyone to get involved in the game

Vanuatu's H4H program seeks to use basketball as a tool to combat NCDs. In this case, Vanuatu's H4H coaches help educate Vanuatu's youth of the food the body does and doesn’t need plus the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise.

"I came to know about Hoops for Health when I started working with Vanuatu Basketball Federation (VBF)," recalled VBF H4H Coordinator, Annie Obed. "I've heard about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the risks, but I never thought of using basketball las a tool to advocate… NCDs is all about lifestyle choices. If I made the right choice now I will benefit from it later."

Vanuatu's H4H program community visit

VBF Vila East Primary School visit

FIBA's H4H and 'Mum's a Hero' programs are made possible by Australian Government funding through the Pacific Sports Partnership Program.

FIBA