Over the past week, FIBA in Oceania has hosted a 3x3 NBDO workshop in Suva, Fiji. Nicolas Widmer, from FIBA head office in Geneva, flew down as a special guest to conduct the 3x3 workshop and promote the game in the Pacific. Our recently appointed National Basketball Development Officer, Adoniah Lewis, was very fortunate to travel to Fiji to participate in the workshop, as 3x3 is a basketball avenue she will be looking to introduce to the Cook Island players.

Throughout the week, the participants from all over the Pacific will be heavily involved in learning and teaching the FIBA 3x3 rules to different age groups, then planning and conducting a FIBA endorsed 3x3 event in Suva. In essence, by the end of the week each participant should be able to conduct, teach, and run a 3x3 FIBA endorsed event in their own countries. Adoniah reports, "3x3 is a very exciting game for players and spectators. Witnessing the the development of 3x3 in Fiji within a week, motivates me to want the same for the Cook Islands. The mechanics of the game are so versatile, and the teams can easily make their way to an international level; All we need to do is establish an active 3x3 presence on the FIBA 3x3 planet. I know that we are slowly building a development program for Under 14's, and our open age group is solid. However, I a see a lack of numbers in the high school ages, so this is where I will target for 3x3, then we can build from there."

Be sure to look out for 3x3 events coming up in the Cook Islands.

For more information on 3x3 go to www.3x3planet.com