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The Belize Basketball Federation is in a tangle with FIBA, the world’s governing body of basketball. They’re fighting to preserve the eligibility of Belize’s senior men’s basketball team members. But the BBF isn’t only about grown men’s basketball, their programme is also about building officials, coaches and players. And “building players” means going to level one where young boys and girls are learning the fundamentals of the game. A FIBA coaching instructor is in Belize hosting a workshop for coaches from primary and secondary schools. BBF President Paul Thompson told us what they’re learning.

Paul Thompson, BBF President
“We over this past summer launched our youth system where we had over 1,000 children participating in our youth summer camp. To complement that we are hosting a technical course for coaches which is a beginner’s level one FIBA course to help coaches coach young players and this is what we are hosting right now for the next week and we have a FIBA expert here who will provide training for elementary schools of the Belize District and high schools coaches of the Belize District and representatives from all of our district associations.”

Wilo Colon, FIBA Instructor
“The way to teach the fundamentals is the main goal right now for level one and if they can do that level here and we have a nice group over here, 40 coaches, if they do that job then you will see how the game of basketball will improve a lot. Belize will start winning in the conference over here, in COCABA. The thing I like the most is that they are willing to learn. They are hungry to learn.”

And while they’ve gotten two days of theory at the Biltmore, tomorrow the coaches go out unto the court for practical instruction.