Basketball Fiji hopes to work with teachers and students in years to come for the development of the sport in secondary schools.

This was indicated by Basketball Fiji’s operating officer, Laisiasa Puamau following the Tuckers Ice cream Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball competition last Saturday.

Puamau said they hope to work with schools on a way forward for basketball in the country, with some national coaches present during the games.

“We had the national Under-18 and were at the games reviewing some of the payers that are already in the team’s training squad. The team is preparing for the Oceania qualifications in December.”

He said despite the postponement the event ended on a high note and this years’ experience would be reviewed for future games.

“We all know that Lautoka doesn’t have an indoor facility and we hope that this is something that will change in the future. That is something that will be reviewed after the tournament and from there we will decide where will be the best place to hold the event.

“We are grateful to the Westerns team as we saw Natabua reach the finals, SVC come in from Nadi. We have some officials who are also from Lautoka who were helping out.”

Puamau added the number of schools has decreased this year due to the effects of Cyclone Winston.

He said with the standard of basketball that is being played there is still room for improvement.

“Overall there have been slight improvement but also there is always a need to improve, I would like to see more coaching in the educational system run with the coaches in the school. That way everyone will be teaching the same things at different level.”