FIBA 3×3 High Performance Development Camp Reinforces Gold Coast as Capital of High Performance Sport

The Gold Coast continues to reinforce its reputation as a destination for high-performance sport as it gears up to host the inaugural FIBA 3×3 High Performance Development Camp. This initiative, a collaboration between FIBA and Olympic Solidarity, is set to take place from September 24 to 28, aiming to foster the next generation of basketball talent in the Oceania region.

The camp aligns with FIBA’s strategic goals of empowering national federations, developing youth basketball, and promoting 3×3 as a thrilling urban sport. It will provide a robust platform for athletes, coaches, and referees from American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Northern Mariana Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Samoa, Tahiti, and Vanuatu to hone their skills and learn from experienced mentors.

“This program represents a significant investment in the future of basketball in the region and is expected to leave a lasting legacy,” said Amanda Jenkins, FIBA Executive Director-Oceania. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with National Olympic Committees and National Federations to make this camp a reality, supporting the ongoing growth and development of athletes, coaches, and referees. The impact extends far beyond the court; it’s about inspiring young people, fostering a love of sport, and building stronger communities.”

The five-day camp is not just a training ground but a springboard for future success, offering a world-class environment for participants to refine their skills and ignite team spirit. It reflects the growing popularity of 3×3 basketball, a fast-paced and urban sport that will feature prominently in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Australia’s women’s 3×3 team, the Gangurrus, will be representing Oceania, highlighting the region’s rising prominence in the sport.

The camp also provides smaller nations with a unique pathway to compete on the global stage. As demonstrated by Latvia’s unexpected qualification for Paris 2024, 3×3 basketball offers opportunities for countries to defy expectations and reach new heights.

The camp underscores FIBA and Olympic Solidarity’s commitment to developing 3×3 talent across the globe. By empowering national federations and providing opportunities for athletes, coaches, and referees, they are working to create a more inclusive and accessible basketball world.

“Olympic Solidarity is delighted to collaborate with FIBA on this initiative,” said Sheila Stephens Desbans, Head of Sport Development Unit & Continental Manager Oceania at Olympic Solidarity. “Working with the International Federation to support the next generation of youth athletes and coaches through camps and tournaments is vital. By collaborating with larger nations and stronger sports systems, there is a sharing of best practices that benefits all.”

As the countdown to the 2025 Mini Games in Palau begins, the camp serves as a perfect launchpad for Oceania’s teams, providing invaluable experience as they aim for podium finishes. Jubilee Kuartei, FIBA Central Board Member and Palau Basketball Federation Secretary General, expressed excitement about the camp’s role in preparing teams for success at the Mini Games.

The FIBA 3×3 High Performance Camp, hosted at Somerset College and featuring two days of competition in Surfers Paradise, illustrates the Gold Coast’s growing importance as a hub for high-performance sport. This initiative further solidifies the Queensland Government’s commitment to positioning the region as a key destination for international sports events and talent development.