Fiji to introduce new schools development program

Following the National Secondary Schools Championships, Basketball Fiji will work towards a long term Athlete Development program for teachers and players.

Basketball Fiji hopes to introduce a Long Term Athlete Development programme, says NBDO Laisiasa Puamau, after the four-day Tuckers Ice Cream Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which ended in Suva on Thursday.

Puamau said the programme would focus on educating coaches on basketball specifics with the goals of having a mass number of coaches teaching the same things to each player.

“The long term Athlete Development model will ensure that coaches are teaching the right volume of basketball for each of three age groups - U15, U17 and U19" he said.

“Basketball Fiji in partnership with Tuckers Ice Cream and the Ministry of Youth and Sports has a common goal and that is to create more opportunities for youth through age group competition and to build on the participation number of schools and teams for next year’s championship in particular in the Western and Central divisions.

“On that note the Basketball Fiji would like to thank all the new and traditional schools who participated this year,” Puamau said.

He added the tournament would not have been a success without the hardworking teachers who unselfishly gave up their time during the school holidays to support their students explore and enjoy the game of basketball.

“The tournament was a success as Basketball Fiji was able to record for a fourth year a growth in number of secondary school players and teams registered in the event. The support system for the respective teams in relation to crowd support, old scholars, parents, coaches and teachers really brought out the best out of each team’s that participated.”