Leo Maps B/Ball Plan

by Sera Whippy

PRESIDENT of the Suva-Laucala Basketball Association says that there is a lot of development that needs to be carried out in our beautiful country. He has been a part of the National Basketball team since 1999 when he first got selected but had to leave the team for study purposes.

The 27 year old is happily married with two children. His wife, Keetu Whippy is from the lovely island nation of Tahiti. His two year old son, Tahitoa and eight month old daughter are sure to follow in their dynamic father’s footsteps. Whippy is at the moment a dangerous opponent to any other team that challenges his team, Saints in most B/ball tournaments. As the captain of the Saints team, Whippy has brought about a lot of enthusiasm and tough training strategies into the team’s training.

He was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 2007 South Pacific Games and it has remained as a highlight for Whippy until now. “This was the first time we have ever been able to achieve this and it was a privilege and an honour to represent our country,” said Whippy. They had beaten Guam in the finals.Whippy has just recently moved back to Fiji after spending close to five years on the Hawaiian shores. He initially left for Hawaii for studies at the Brigham Young University, but after arriving he couldn’t resist the urge to join the universities basketball team. He was a part of the team for a year before he left for missionary work for the Latter Day Saints Church in Idaho for two years.

He is a graduate in International Business Management and is hoping to start up a farm on his families land. “Basketball is very tough in terms of attitude. Players here in Fiji have a lot of respect and we are humble and a culture to live up to but over in the US it is really bad. If you are humble and respectful they will walk all over you. I experienced culture shock when I was there but I eventually adapted to the styles and got to learn a lot,” he said. “My father has some land and I intend to start a farm, maybe, dalo farming or vegetables,” said the young, ambitious man.

Unanimously elected for the position of President of the Suva-Laucala B/Ball Association, Whippy has many ideas as of how he intends to further the development programs that are currently running. “It is great that the youths have decided to start such a program however, basketball remains a minor sport and for this we have a lot of problems like a lack of facilities, funding through sponsorship and equipments. Basketball is a major deal in overseas countries and if we can properly nurture and train our talented players, they will be able to grab up a scholarship and have a once in a life-time opportunity to go overseas and play for big leagues,” he said.

Like his father, Leo as he is normally called, may eventually take up a coaching position in the near future especially with his ambitious personality. His father, Paul Whippy is the coach for the Saints and also the National Basketball team. He has plans to begin a new program in the near months after the Easter Championships. “After Easter basketball sort of dies down and I don’t want this happen, that is why overseas players are really good because they play all year round. So I have plans to start up a Suva-Laucala Youth program and clinics after Easter.” Leo attended the Latter-Day Saints Church College before taking off to Hawaii. Sportsmanship seems to run through these Whippy brothers blood. Marcus Whippy, Leo’s younger brother is in Hawaii playing basketball and his twin brothers are in Utah, USA, where they play rugby for the United Club. One can say that, wherever a Fijian hoes rugby will follow.

Fact file

Fav. Dish: Chinese food especially sweet and sour chicken.

Fav. Drink: Water and Tarumba

Super-14 team: Queensland Reds

Super-14 Player: Isireli Naqelevuki.

Mentor: my dad.