SUVA - Australian volunteer, Jonathon (Jonno) Steele has been coaching junior basketball in Queensland for eight years, from Under 10’s to Under 16’s. In June this year, Jonno left Australian shores to work with Basketball Fiji, as part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program, an Australian Government initiative. Jonno is being supported during his assignment by FIBA, the International Basketball Federation and partner organisation with the AVID program.

“I’ve always been passionate about basketball and working with people who have a disability. I’ve coached for a long time and volunteered in special schools, teaching kids about sport” says Jonno, who has taken on the role of Disability Sports Development Officer. “This year I wanted a change and this AVID assignment is a chance for me to incorporate my two loves, by helping to make basketball inclusive for all.”

Hoops for Health (H4H) is a basketball development program, already active in schools and able-bodied communities throughout Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. The program, funded by the Australian Government through the Pacific Sports Partnerships (PSP) program, aims to increase regular participation in basketball as a way of building healthier communities. The H4H program also aims to increase the inclusion of women, girls and people with disabilities.

Jonno is working with Basketball Fiji to expand H4H activities into special schools and other organisations for people with disabilities in the Suva region.  

”It’s great to work with the Basketball Fiji staff and to contribute both my love of basketball and my experience working with people with disabilities,” Jonno said. “It’s also a great opportunity for me to learn more about Fiji and enhance my life skills in a different culture.”

During his twelve-month AVID assignment, Jonno and the team at Basketball Fiji will be working on an action plan to encourage people living with a disability to become more involved in the sport. There are also plans of introducing a wheelchair basketball program in the near future.

The organisation has a strong partnership with the Fiji Disability Association and FIBA Oceania is providing valuable information and equipment to support Jonno in his role.

The AVID program is an Australian Government initiative. For more information visit www.dfat.gov.au/australianvolunteers.

FIBA