SOLOMON ISLAND BASKETBALL FEDERATION

P O Box 181, Honiara Solomon Islands TELEPHONE: (677) 27354 FAX: (677) 25686. Email: 3xq@solomon.com.sb Lawrence Quan (Patron), hatigevf@anz.com Freda Matangi (President), kilokogolden@hotmail.com (NBDO)

1ST QUARTER REPORT

JANUARY, FEBRUARY, JANUARY 2007

2007 will be another challenging year for Solomon Island Basketball Federation especially in formulating and implementing part of our 4 years strategic plans. One of our priorities this year is preparing our team(s) for the upcoming Pacific Games in Samoa during August/September, and also our ongoing development program with schools, communities, provinces and etc.

The training of our National Squads has begun in early January, and over 40 athletes had been selected in the Mens and Womens squads in the preparation for the upcoming Pacific Games in Apia Samoa. The federations feel that w

The federation is working on several test matches for the purpose of trimming the training squad, the first test match was done last month for both men and women and the number was trimmed to 20 players. There is test matches line up for the final trimming of the squad in preparation for the Pacific Games in Samoa. The federation is very optimistic that the team(s) will do well in the Pacific Games Basketball competition.

Plans are under to send our National teams to Australia to play some test matches as part of their preparation for the Pacific Games under the Team preparation grant from the International Olympic Committee, which we (SIBF) had applied as part of development plan since 2005. As part of developing our referees, the Solomon Island Basketball federation is negotiating with FIBA Oceania on the possibility to include three (3) of their experience referees to help out in the basketball competition at the Pacific Games.

The NBDO had been working with one of the primary school in introducing basketball activities to kids ranging from age 4 - 10 yrs old. The program had been go on for more than a month at the multi purpose hall every Friday morning as part it is also part of their sport day. It was very encouraging to see kids enjoying the program.

The Youth Ambassador Ryan had completed his contract in Solomon Islands after spending 12 months since March 18, 2006 in assisting Solomon Island Basketball Federation development plans. Some of the programs that Ryan involved in during his 12 months contract as a basketball volunteer to Solomon Island are the 3^rd Solomon Games basketball competition in Makira Ulawa Province, conducting of basketball school clinics, organizing of the under 20 yrs basketball competition, assisting the under 20 yrs training squad, conducting of the Transworld super 4 competition, RENBEL solidarity course, Honiara constituency competition, Renbel Provincial games, update of our web site, Institute basketball competition, and training of our mens squad. Ryan had been of great assistance to the development of basketball in the country in the last 12 months, and the Solomon Island Basketball Federation would like to sincerely thank him for the job well done, and also FIBA Oceania office and the AYAD program for facilitating the project.

The Honiara Basketball League Committee will convene its Annual General Meeting on the 1^st of April 2007. The meeting is purposely to elect its new committee, presentation of reports from the current committee, and also to set a date for the HBL league proper. The under 15 yrs and under 20 yrs basketball competition will set to kick off after Easter break, the youth competition will be open to schools, communities, youth organisation, churches, companies and basketball clubs to participate.

One of the federation priorities this year is to develop basketball out in the provinces whether it is on player's development, infrastructure, coaching, referees and administration. The Temotu province had just completed its basketball court funded under the Australian High Commission. Similar assistance had been to Makira Ulawa province as part of basketball development in the province. Plans are underway to travel to Temotu with AHC officers for the hand over of the project and also conducting of coaching, referees, sports administration and also conducting of competition as part of the plans.

FIBA Oceania Office will be sending on of its Zone development officer Jon Hoyle to country on 17^th - 30^th April 2007. The tour is part of the ongoing development assistance of the FIBA Oceania to Solomon Islands. Jon will working with the NBDO in conducting programs for schools, communities, assisting our mens and womens squad to the Pacific Games, basketball clubs and also proposed tour to any of the provinces.

Plans for next quarter

1. HBL Annual General Meeting
2. Training Squad
3. HBL Competition
4. Under 15yrs/20yrs competition
5. ZDO tour
6. School visit
7. Arafura Games

Report prepared by; Golden Kiloko

 NBDO

Solomon Island