TIMOR-LESTE - FIBA sent FIBA in Oceania Development Manager Annie La Fleur to Timor-Leste from 2 February to 13 March to work with the Federacao Nacional De Basquetebol Timor-Leste (FNBTL) as part of the Asia Sports Partnerships Program funded by the Australian Government.

The purpose of La Fleur's visit is to assist the FNBTL conduct a coaches course, run multiple 3x3 events and launch their 'Mum's a Hero' program.

FNBTL's 'Mum’s a Hero' program is funded by the Australian Government and supported by FIBA in Oceania until September. It is designed to encourage more females to participate in basketball activities and live healthy lifestyles. The program is aimed at mothers in communities who can have an impact on the habits of their families. FNBTL intends to partner with women's support groups in Dili to deliver the program and show their support for the empowerment of women and children in Timor-Leste.

Having taken a silver Olympic medal while representing the Australian Opals at the 2000 Sydney Games and played four years in the WNBA in America, La Fleur has many years of experience at the highest level. As well as being a former world class athlete, she is an independent single mother who hopes to be able to pass on some of the knowledge she has gained through her experience during her trip.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to share my experience with the people of Timor-Leste, I know that they could do some great things here. FIBA is happy to be able to help the empowerment of women through basketball in Timor-Leste while also contributing to the overall growth of the basketball federation. - La Fleur

The coaches' workshop will focus on upskilling FNBTL volunteers to become certified basketball coaches who will then work with prominent female leaders in Dili communities to deliver basketball clinics. The clinics will be taught with messages around healthy lifestyles and information on support networks for women who may have experienced domestic violence. At the conclusion of this workshop, the FNBTL will officially launch the 'Mum's a Hero' program with a media event and a 3x3 tournament for the workshop participants.

There will be another 3x3 event in the second week of March. This will be a mass participation event managed by the FNBTL with the guidance of La Fleur.

FIBA