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)

31^st of June 2007

SECOND QUARTER REPORT

APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2007

 

INTRODUCTION

Basketball will continue to roll in the Solomon's despite of many challenges. With the recent Australian tour of our Mens and Womens squad, and the upcoming Pacific Games in Samoa, it had boosted the moral and the promotion of basketball interests not only in the capital but also in the Provinces.

It is part of the Solomon Island Basketball Federations plan to promote and develop basketball through out the country by conducting various technical courses, conducting of competition, constructing of basketball courts, referees courses and etc.

And as such the SIBF would like to sincerely thank to those who had volunteer their time in developing basketball in the past few months.

2007 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

The Solomon Islands Basketball Federation used the acquired funding from the IOC to send both the Men's and Women's National Basketball Teams to Australia on a 12 day tour. Leaving from Honiara, Solomon Islands on 12^th June and returning on Saturday 23^rd June were 13 male athletes, 12 female athletes, 2 coaches, 2 team managers and 2 referees. In addition to this, another Solomon Island male basketball athlete residing in New Zealand joined the tour group to participate in the tour program. The tour started in Brisbane, Australia before moving on to Coffs Harbour where the FIBA Oceania office is based. This is where the tour matches and trainings were based from.

TOUR OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the tour were as follows:

1. Play opposition of a challenging standard that is not possible in Solomon Islands to assist with the preparation for the Men's Women's Squads in the lead up to the South Pacific Games in Samoa, Apia.
2. Give international exposure and experience to all athletes, officials and referees
3. Assist with the selection process for the final Men's and Women's teams to attend the South Pacific Games.
4. Give the opportunity for all athletes and officials to bond as a group and grow as a team

TRAINING PREPARATION
The Men's and Women's Basketball Squad training program initially started on 8^th January 2007 with 2 x 2 hour training sessions each week. Since this time the number of training sessions has been increased gradually to a total of 6 per week.

Before departure for the Australian Tour more than 80 training sessions had been completed by the each of the National Squads.

From 17^th April - 1^st May 2007 FIBA Oceania Basketball Zone Development Officer (ZDO) Jon Hoyle was in Honiara to assist the Men's and Women's National Basketball Squads with their preparations for the Australian Tour and the  South Pacific Games. He worked closely with coaches and players over a number of training sessions, including early mornings to assist in the skill development of the athletes and coaches.

COMMITTEE PREPARATION

The Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) Committee had been planning the Australian Tour since November 2006. In the last few months before the tour departed the committee was meeting up to 3 times a week to work out the final details and overcome any problems that had arisen. Preparation for the tour included the following:

-         Budgeting

-         Booking flights, accommodation, bus hire

-         Arranging of training and matches

-         Uniforms and T-shirts

MATCH RESULTS

MENS TEAM

Solomon Islands 72 def Coffs Christian College 39

Solomon Islands 105 def Coffs Harbour State League 91

(Waige Turueke 24pts, Alexander McFadden 14pts, Allan Wane 12pts)

Port Maquarie State League 86 def Solomon Islands 79

(Waige Turueke 38pts)

Solomon Islands 51 def John Paul College 30 (short game)

Solomon Islands 79 def Coffs Harbour State League 72

(Waige Turueke 20pts, Moses Au 10pts)

Solomon Islands 64 def Grafton State League 56

(Waige Turueke 33pts)

PROGRAM

DATE	ACTIVITIES
Tuesday 12th June	5.30pm Arrive Brisbane Airport 6.30pm picked up by Bus and taken to City Palms Motel Overnight in Brisbane at City Palms Motel
Wednesday 13th June	11am Checkout of accommodation 12pm Visit Brisbane City 6pm Depart Brisbane for Coffs Harbour
Thursday 14th June	1am Arrive at Aqua Villa Apartments, 56 Park Beach Rd, Coffs Harbour. Contact Sandra Mottram PH:02 6652 3539 10am - 12 noon Training Courts 5 & 6 Sportz Central 2.00pm - 3.30pm Training Courts 5 & 6 Sportz Central 5pm Match - Women Vs Coffs Harbour Championship U/16 Girls at Sportz Central
Friday 15th June	10am - 12 noon Training Courts 5 & 6 Sportz Central 1.00pm Match - Men Vs Christian Community High School 2.00pm Match - Women Vs Christian Community High School Bonville Station Road, Coffs Harbour. Contact: Scott Davies
Saturday 16th June	No training venues available 5.30pm Match - Women Vs Coffs Harbour State League 7.00pm Match - Men Vs Coffs Harbour State league
Sunday 17th June	10am - 12 noon Training at Sportz Central 2pm Depart for Port Maquarie, Hastings River Rd. 5.30pm Match - Women Vs Port Maquarie State League 7.00pm Match - Men vs Port Maquarie State League Contact: Phil Lee 0429 840 033
Monday 18th June	9am - 11am Training at Sportz Central 1pm Match - Men Vs John Paul College 2pm Match - Women Vs John Paul College Stadium at John Paul College. Park Buses on Road Contact: Leroy Conroy
Tuesday 19th June	9am 1 male and 1 female athlete to Channel 10 TV Studios for TV interview. 6.00pm Match - Women Vs Coffs Harbour State League 7.30pm Match - Men vs Coffs Harbour State League
Wednesday 20th June	10am - 12 noon Training Courts 5 & 6 Sportz Central 3.30pm Depart for Grafton 5.30pm Match - Women Vs Grafton State League 7.00pm Match - Men Vs Grafton State League
Thursday 21st June	11.30pm Depart Coffs Harbour for Brisbane
Friday 22nd June	7am Arrive Brisbane Airport - some athletes take return fight to Honiara. (Limited due to space onboard flight) 10am Remaining group is picked up at spend the night at family houses.
Saturday 23rd June	8am Depart Brisbane Airport for Honiara, Solomon Islands.

COACHES REPORT

The tour consisted of a number of training sessions at a first class basketball facility and a total of 6 matches. The matches were located both in Coffs Harbour and also as far as 2 hours drive when we visited Port Maquarie to play their State League Senior Mens Basketball Team.

The overall result for the Mens Squad was 5 wins and 1 loss. This was an outstanding achievement when looking at the size and strength of the teams we played. The majority of the matches were against much taller and much physically stronger men. This was a good test for the squad which has a large number of young players who are still growing and developing.

There is no doubt in my mind that the training the team had done so far greatly assisted the results that were achieved. All players worked together to play as a team to overcome obstacles, which was impressive. The squad also showed a very strong attitude of never giving up as they continued to play and work hard no matter what the score was. This was especially a factor in the last game we played when we played the State League Champions, Grafton. Despite losing by as many as 11 points in the 3^rd quarter, the team played hard and eventually came out winners at the end of the match.

The tour was formatted with a game and training session on most days, which was similar to how the tournament at the South Pacific Games is structured. This proved for an ideal preparation, as it was a mentally and physically demanding program which tested all athletes.

There were also some injuries throughout the tour which tested the team. In the first game Junior Gwali injured his ankle and missed the following 2 games. In the second game Allan Wane injured his ankle and was unable to play for the remainder of the tour. Although it was disappointing to suffer injuries, it was also a challenge for other members of the team to step up and take responsibility.

Waige Turueke was outstanding throughout the tour. His shooting, rebounding, defence and fitness were all excellent. He was the team's top scorer for the tour and plays a valuable role. It is clear to me that his time in U.S.A. has been valuable and worthwhile.

We were also fortunate enough to have Anthony Prince join the squad in Coffs Harbour. He paid his own fare to join the squad and participate in the tour. Anthony was a valuable addition to the squad. Standing 6 foot 3 inches tall with a wide body, he was an excellent addition, especially because height is one area that the squad is lacking. His worth was proven when Allan was injured and it was left to Leon Hatigeva, Moses Au, Timothy Goulolo and Anthony Prince to carry the load in the Centre and Forward positions.

MANAGERS REPORT

The team managers were put to the test during the tour. A team managers job is hard enough as it is, but then consider that the team managers were operating in a country much different to their own and the task can seem quite overwhelming. Simple things like knowing where to go to buy different types of food can be difficult.

2007 ZDO BASKETBALL COURSE FOR TEACHERS

Jon Hoyle was in the country and had conducting a basic basketball coaching courses for physical education teachers of high schools and primary schools in and around Honiara. The course was part of SIBF strategy planned for schools basketball development program, while in Honiara Jon was conducted several courses for players development, assisting the referees on the three man officiating concept, strengthening the SIBF and HBL administration, preparation of the Mens and Womens national teams. A high school and primary basketball committee were elected after the course purposely to organise the high school and primary school competition. The SIBF would like to thanks NOCSI for avail for the solidarity funds for facilitating the program and also FIBA Oceania for sending one of its Zone development officer Jon Hoyle as part of its on going basketball development program in Solomon Islands.

2007 TRANSWORLD BASKETBALL COMPETITION

The Managing Director of the Transorld Commodities Ltd Mr. Thompson Turueke had again pleaged his support and commitment in sponsoring the 2007 basketball championship. The Transworld had sponsored the Honiara Basketball competition since 2005 and had committed to support basketball for the next four years. And as such the HBL had elected its new committee to run the 2007 Transworld basketball competition was kicked off on Sunday 15th April. The competition open to basketball clubs, communities, institutions, youth groups, churches and any other interested groups who may to join the competition.

The Solomon Island Basketball Federation on behalf of the Honiara Basketball League committee would like to sincerely thanks the management of the Transworld Commodities Ltd for its commitment in supporting the development basketball not only in the capital and the country as a whole.

The new HBL committee members are; 1. President - Brian Pongotapu, 2. Secretary - Dugan Tekatoha, 3. Treasurer - Natala Pongi, Members are; Moses Kivo, Janet Ramoteo, Eddide Peau.

PLANS

1. ZDO Tour
2. Pacific Games in Samoa
3. Malaita Provincial Basketball tour
4. Transworld basketball comp. cont
5. School visit
6. Schools competitions

Thank you

Report prepared by;

                             Golden Kiloko

                             National Basketball Development Officer

                             Solomon Island Basketball Federation

                             C/- NOCSI

                             P O Box 532

                             Honiara.