22/09/2016
Coach
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Basketball coaches inspiring communities across Timor-Leste

DILI - The sun beating down on the concrete has made it so hot that you can't stand in one spot for more than a few seconds, but you don't care because today you get to play basketball.

This is the type of joy and excitement that the National Basketball Federation of Timor-Leste (FNBTL) Mum's a Hero coaches are bringing to the mothers and children of Dili and the surrounding communities. 

Since the introduction of the Mum's a Hero program, there has been a boost in basketball activity for Timor-Leste. The FNBTL have been conducting community clinics where local mothers and children are invited to free basketball sessions. These participants gain knowledge on the sport and improving their health and wellbeing. The Australian Government funded program allows the FNBTL to bring about positive change in the community through basketball.

Basketball has seen a rapid increase in popularity not only due to the Mum's a Hero program but also because of a rapid increase in 3x3 basketball activity. The FNTBL have been able to organize mass participation 3x3 festivals to increase the games reach to a wider demographic.

FIBA Basketball '+' Sports Administrator - Oceania, Catherine Grawich and FIBA Development Manager - Oceania, Annie La Fleur recently visited Timor-Leste as part of FIBA's commitment to build the capacity of their national federations. This was a follow-up visit from the Mum's a Hero launch in March of this year in which La Fleur was involved.

Grawich and La Fleur were thrilled with the progress the FNBTL have made in such a short period of time.

"I was very impressed by the level of commitment from the Federation to grow the game of basketball beyond Dili," Grawich commented. "Through the Mum's a Hero program, FNBTL have been able to access a number of communities and positively empower women. And now the Federation are looking outside of Dili to those communities who do not have access to traditional sporting facilities. It is very inspiring."

The FNBTL host an exhibition game with the local Agostu school students

Currently the FNBTL is intensely pursuing partnerships with organisations in Timor-Leste who believe that value could be added to the messages that are delivered through the Mum’s a Hero program.

The passion for basketball is clear in every clinic that is run. The Timorese communities might be small in number but are enormous in heart and enthusiasm when it comes to engaging with one another through sport.

It is clear that the sport of basketball has the power to positively impact and heavily change people’s lives. It is inspiring to see the impact that a small set of coaches can have on their community, bringing joy and positive social change to their peers. 

FIBA