SUVA – Even in the midst of their busiest period in years, Basketball Fiji (BF) is continuing to take the time to help develop the countries youth.

After just successfully hosting a two-game series with the U18 Women’s Chinese National team, BF is already deep into their preparations for the upcoming FIBA U18 Oceania Championships 2016. But, even with limited staff, BF continues to focus on making a positive impact on the countries children and mothers through their Hoops for Health (H4H) program.

Through Australian Government funding and the support of FIBA, BF is able to use basketball as a means to help keep people active and create a greater future for Fiji through sport.

In the last two weeks alone, BF has run multiple clinics with participants ranging from primary school students through to government employees.

By using fun drills and games, the H4H coaches are able to connect with these participants and show them that it can be enjoyable staying healthy through exercise and sport. The Housing Authority of Fiji staff members got a taste of this enjoyment when the BF coaches visited them late last month. These employees were able to step away from their desks for an hour and had a great time outdoors passing, dribbling and shooting basketballs.

Housing Authority of Fiji staff members racing their way down the court

Then it was the kids turn, BF visited Nasinu Sangam Primary School students and ran a weekend clinic at the Fiji Police Mobile compound in Narere. These kids spent 2 hours on court with the H4H coaches running through various skills-based drills. Once they had finished the drills, the children played games to show off their newly found talents to their friends.

The kids couldn’t get enough; you couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces with all the fun they were having. The coaches have created an environment where young Fijians feel safe to run around, laugh and be themselves all while improving their health through exercise. 

Basketball Fiji is hosting a Mum’s a Hero community clinic on the 8^th of October. The H4H Mum’s a Hero program brings mothers together through basketball to enjoy exercising while learning about healthy eating and staying active.

FIBA