Basketball Victoria was represented in a recent trip to Papua New Guinea by Sarah Bradbury, referee coach for NBL1 and Big V. She travelled with FIBA Oceania and the Australian Defence Force (ADF)-Pacific Sports Program, to facilitate coaching sessions. The ADF engaged with a range of sporting codes including, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Netball, AFL and Basketball Victoria to travel to PNG to support the local communities through coaching and education workshops, the sessions were held at two locations-Port Moresby and Madang, where there was a day of coach training and then a day of referee training with over 50 participants each day.
Bradbury saw firsthand how basketball is having a positive impact in PNG, as one of the communities that participated in the program situated just outside of Madang, Settlement 26 (which historically was known as an area that had high crime), began to experience their crime rate drop as the young members of the community now have an outlet, they are turning their lives around with the positive influence of basketball and what the sport can offer. Settlement 26 have embraced their love of our sport so much so; they even built their own 3x3 court to encourage their community to hit the court whenever they want. 
For Bradbury it was a trip of firsts- the first time she had travelled to PNG and the first time she was able to deliver referee coaching workshops overseas- she was thrilled to be asked, and what she witnessed was overwhelming - the dedication and resilience of the local communities.
I was surprised at how dedicated the local people were to their basketball. Several participants travelled long distances to get to the workshops. One group travelled by dingy for a day (in the ocean!) and then by PMV (which looks like an army transport), for a day to get to the workshop. Another person travelled for 12 days to get to the Port Moresby workshop, 10 of which he walked. They show amazing resilience as many of the villages outside of the main towns only have outdoor courts and many are on clay.
The ADF team work closely with the Basketball Federation PNG (BFPNG) and FIBA Oceania to facilitate a range of programs within the communities of PNG to educate, train and upskill community members that will improve their basketball skills and knowledge to empower the local participants so they can impart their knowledge to the next generation. The sessions also coincide with BFPNG's Hoops for Health programs where they educate community members on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through sport. Jordan Sere from BFPNG who runs the Hoops for Health program and Delisha who works as the female engagement coordinator (as well as media and communications coordinator), travelled with the Australian cohort to help deliver the programs, and key messages of the positive impact basketball has on their health.
With a range of donated items brought across by FIBA Oceania and the ADF as well as previously donated clothing items donated by BV the PNG communities were totally kitted out with their favourite sports gear.
For more information about the ADF Pacific Sports Program- click here
