Laisiasa Puamau, one of Fiji’s most prominent basketball coaches, has received a scholarship to participate in the International Coaching Apprenticeship in Basketball (ICAB) program in the United States. This initiative, backed by Olympic Solidarity, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and FIBA, aims to enhance Puamau’s coaching expertise at an elite level.
The ICAB program commenced on June 3 and will run until November 6, 2024. It is an intensive educational training course designed to enrich coaching skills and provide insight into the US intercollegiate basketball scene. Puamau’s selection showcases his remarkable coaching achievements and his potential to promote basketball development in Fiji and the Oceania region.
Over the six-month ICAB program, participants will engage in four modules, which include virtual sessions, in-person lectures at the University of Delaware, and a three-week apprenticeship with a NCAA Division 1 basketball program. This exclusive opportunity will enable Puamau to interact with and learn from top college basketball coaches in the United States.
“We are excited that Puamau has been awarded this prestigious scholarship,” stated Lyndall Fisher, sports development manager at FASANOC. “We believe this experience will not only benefit Laisiasa but will also greatly contribute to the growth of basketball in our nation.”
Following the completion of the program, Puamau is expected to apply his newly acquired knowledge and experiences to enhance coaching and development efforts for basketball in Fiji.
Puamau, a licensed coach by FIBA, possesses a rich background in basketball as both a player and a coach. He has represented Fiji in various international events and has successfully led national teams to numerous medals in regional and Pacific tournaments.