La Fleur's visit is the second phase in a professional development project for FIBA Oceania's National Basketball Development Officers (NBDO) the first phase of which was completed last month in Australia under a "fellowship" conducted with AusAID - the Australian Government's overseas aid program.

The visits to Port Vila (Vanuatu) and Honiara (Solomon Islands) are part of program of visits to 10 member federations of FIBA Oceania and will continue throughout the year.

While the primary purpose of the ZDM's visit was to visit the NBDO's in their home country, witness their local working conditions and complement the training undertaken during the 2 week course in Australia, these visits have allowed her to accomplish so much more. 

In Honiara meetings have been set up with the Solomon Island Basketball Federation (SIBF) to fine tune the working conditions and arrangements for the NBDO, with the National Olympic Committee (NOCSI) to improve the collaboration between the two sports bodies and with the National Sports Council, the government instrumentality responsible for delivering infrastructure and programs throughout the country.

La Fleur has also spent some time at the Australian High Commission to ensure that the Australian Government representatives are aware of the efforts of FIBA Oceania in the country.

La Fleur's extensive playing and coaching experience was never going to be allowed to go to waste during the Solomon island visit, and the federation have arranged visits to several schools and work with the federation's national teams who are looking to re-enter international competition.

Basketball in the Solomon Islands is undergoing a revival under the stewardship of a new SIBF Committee and action is underway to re-engage with basketball associations in the Western, Renbel, Malaita, Makira and Central provinces.

SIBF President, and FIBA International Referee, Brian Pongatapu, is NOCSI's Vice-President for the Solomon Games, but the federation is reporting that a lack of equipment is hampering preparations for the national games.  FIBA Oceania is anxious to work with SIBF, NOCSI and the National Sports Council to address these issues, most likely in collaboration with a very supportive local corporate.

La Fleur's visit to Honiara was not only an item of local interest but made headlines across the Pacific and in Australia as Radio Australia firstly conducted an on-air interview with her in Honiara, which then became the basis of a website story on their overeas webpage and was later picked up by the Australian Sports program "Grandstand".

La Fleur returns to FIBA Oceania headquarters next week when she will discuss the outcomes of her trip with Secretary General Steve Smith and take the necessary steps to put in place the joint decisions made while in Vantuatu and the Solomon Islands.
-ends-