Overview:
The Palau Basketball Federation has joined forces with FIBA Oceania, Basketball Australia and the Australian Embassy in Palau to launch a new three-year “Basketball for Good” partnership aimed at expanding opportunities for young people across Palau. Building on the success of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, the initiative will strengthen youth pathways, coaching development and community engagement through inclusive basketball programs nationwide.
Palau Basketball Federation, FIBA Oceania, Basketball Australia and the Australian Embassy are pleased to announce a new three-year partnership to expand opportunities for young people across Palau through the Basketball for Good program.
Building on Palau’s successful hosting of the first Oceania edition of the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League during the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, this collaboration represents a step forward in strengthening youth basketball pathways in Palau.
Palau Basketball Federation Secretary General Jubilee Kuartei said, “This three-year partnership represents a significant step forward for basketball and youth development in Palau. It strengthens our ability to empower young people, support and upskill local coaches, and build a sustainable future for basketball nationwide. We are deeply grateful for the investment and commitment shown by our partners, and it is a true privilege to collaborate with a global leader in women’s basketball like Basketball Australia in advancing women’s basketball and using basketball for good. We sincerely thank the Australian Government, Basketball Australia, and FIBA in Oceania for this opportunity. Personally, I am especially excited about the She Hoops program and what it will mean for the next generation of girls in Palau.”
Through the combined expertise of all partners, the program will deliver inclusive, high-quality training and participation opportunities for young people of all backgrounds.
With basketball already one of Palau’s most loved sports, the program aims to broaden access even further through activities aligned with the Palau National Youth Policy 2023-2027, supporting national priorities to empower young people through participation, leadership and healthier communities.
FIBA Oceania Executive-Director Amanda Jenkins said, “We are excited by this new partnership between Palau Basketball, Basketball Australia and the Australian Embassy in Palau in order to continue offering development opportunities which will Empower National Federations. We saw firsthand the love of basketball, in particular 3×3 basketball, last year during the Pacific Mini Games and we look forward to how this partnership can develop the next crop of basketball stars for Palau.”
In addition to strengthening youth engagement, the partnership will invest in training for local coaches, helping to enhance coaching skills, ensure high-quality program delivery through the Palau Basketball Federation, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of Palau’s basketball sector.
She Hoops’ Australian National Ambassador, Naismith Hall of Famer and Opals’ legend Lauren Jackson AO OLY said, “Following on from the success of Palau’s Kierra Kedengel Ketebengang as an inaugural She Hoops Leadership and Confidence scholarship participant, we are excited to bring She Hoops to Palau for the first time. Basketball is already incredibly popular in the Pacific, and we know this 3-year program will only strengthen it and further develop next generation leaders in sport. We commend DFAT, Palau Basketball and FIBA for establishing this fantastic partnership.”
Over the next three years, the partnership will support:
🏀A She Hoops youth basketball clinic in Palau
🏀A workshop for local coaches
🏀Expanded delivery of 3×3 programs across Palau
🏀Provision of basketball equipment to support community programs
Australian Ambassador Toby Sharpe said, “Sport strengthens the people-to-people connections that anchor our region’s most resilient partnerships. Australia values its enduring relationship with Palau, and we are proud to support initiatives that empower young people and foster the next generation of Pacific leaders”.
Together, all partners are committed to supporting youth development, promoting wellbeing and contributing to the long-term growth of community basketball in Palau.