GOLD COAST (Australia) – The FIBA Introduction to Youth Coaching Course is proving to be a game-changer for basketball development across the region.

Designed to equip aspiring coaches with the essential tools to nurture young talent, the program, built from the FIBA Start Coaching Curriculum provided by World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), is fostering a new generation of informed basketball coaches

At the heart of the success of this program, are experienced coaches like Mel Bennett, whose passion for the game is evident in her dedication to sharing knowledge.  Bennett's insights, alongside the experiences of participants, offer insight into how this course is shaping the landscape of youth basketball across the Oceania region.

Her name is synonymous with success in Basketball New Zealand with an impressive resume spanning from grassroots to national levels, Mel Bennett’s influence on the sport is undeniable, particularly her commitment to youth coach development.

“You have such a valuable role at this level,” Bennett said.  “It is a foundation piece of development and growth.”

“These early exposure years are really crucial in learning basic skills, networking and connections – building relationships to make new friends, experiencing enjoyment and having fun, plus building great habits and making good decisions.”

Bennett’s session on Effective and Safe Teaching proved particularly engaging.

 “These are probably two of the most critical pieces of education in the foundation years of coaching,” she said.  Participants learned the importance of building relationships, effective communication, and creating a safe environment for young athletes.

When asked about her most influential coach, Bennett credits Puhi Milner for inspiring her love of the game.

“She was hardworking, had simple methods of teaching and strived to provide opportunities for everyone involved in our Minties Club,” Bennett said. “The culture and environment she created made you feel like you had another family outside of your immediate nucleus.”

Bennett's advice to aspiring youth coaches is simple: be organized, creative, and open to collaboration.  “Always have a person you can talk to, whether it is a mentor or someone you can liaise with,” Bennett said.

For Polinda Emele, a principal from Erakor Bilingual School in Vanuatu, Bennett's session was particularly inspiring.

 “All the presenters were engaging and introduced goals or ideas that were new to the world of coaching but the presenter who got me glued to the screen was Mel Bennett from Basketball New Zealand,” Emele said.

“Everything I learned from the course was great, however the biggest learning was in Effective and Safe Teaching, led by Mel Bennett,” Emele said.  “By taking care of the player’s needs, and becoming their coach, you are also becoming a mentor, parent and friend to shape their development.  The players needs are the most important factor in producing quality people on and off the court.”

As a lead educator in Vanuatu, Emele also highlighted the importance of programs such as this to engage with remote areas.  

This course can be taken across the country and introduce basketball fundamentals to those new to the sport and introduce our next generation to the game.