B'ball clinic moves to Suva

The Basketball Outreach Program, led by Anna Tuiaea-Rudd, reached Suva yesterday after making great progress in the Western Division.

The clinics, funded by the US Embassy, are run by American Anna Tuiaea-Rudd, director of academic support services at University of Idaho, her husband, Jason Rudd, Amber Johnson and Kwan Johnson.

Joining them are Fiji basketball development officer, Laisiasa Puamau and former national basketball reps Mereleini Tora and Etuate Waqairawai.

"The program started on Tuesday, with the team visiting schools in Lautoka. They visited St Thomas High School, Natabua High School, Ba Pro and Tilak," Puamau said. "Lautoka ended with a coaching clinic for officials from the Lautoka Basketball Association and a two-hour training session with the Namoli Basketball Club."

The program has covered and will cover most schools in Viti Levu, like Xavier College in Ba, Ratu Kadavulevu School and Queen Victoria School in Tailevu, Adi Cakobau School in Sawani, Latter Day Saints Church College in Tamavua and Nasinu Secondary School in Nasinu.

"In addition, the visitors are running coaching clinics for interested teachers, basic offence and defence drills for secondary school students that are eager to learn something new and will be working with teams that are preparing for the upcoming National Easter Basketball Tournament," Puamau said.

Puamau acknowledged the assistance of the US Embassy in Suva and "the great people of America for funding the Basketball Outreach Program which is anticipated to reach over 3000 students around Viti Levu".

"This program has made news for schools in the central areas as schools are calling to confirm their reservations with Basketball Fiji as they realise that gaining such an exposure will be a great benefit for the schools and students," Puamau said.

The clinics will end next week after which the visitors will observe and assist in the running of the National Easter Basketball Championship.