The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) has thanked the Australian Defence Forces and FIBA for the success of the recent workshops held in Port Moresby and Madang. In most sports, there is a technical official who plays an important role in ensuring that the action takes place according to the rules. To ensure that the game is played in a fair and safe way, our basketball referees play an integral role. The Australian Defence Forces (ADF) and FIBA coaching and officiating workshop ended on a high note with over one hundred participants graduating with FIBA Level 1 Start Coaching and Officiating Course. President of the Basketball Federation of PNG (BFPNG), Emma Waiwai, thanked, ADF & FIBA for making this a reality. “This has been one area that has been lacking in the last few years and for these organizations to come up and run these basic courses in coaching and refereeing, sets the foundation for us to build on; and identify coaches and referees that we can take to the next level. So, hopefully it’s not the last.” “We thank all those involved for taking this training workshop outside of National Capital District (NCD)”. With NCD and Madang Town as the central hubs, the workshops saw participants from the Southern, Momase and the Highlands region of PNG participate. The training program was funded by the ADF, FIBA and BFPNG. Meanwhile, FIBA Oceania Development Manager, Annie Le Fleur expressed how amazing it was when some participants had to travelled within three weeks just to get to this workshop. “This was fascinating because it tells us that the demand is there, and participants want to learn and contribute meaningfully to basketball development in PNG.” The Training workshop ran concurrently between coaches and referees, with coaches starting in the classroom and referees starting on court and switching on day two of the workshops. Participants were also given start-up kits such as start coaching/referee resource handbook, and uniforms, to take with them. Furthermore, Eunice Wapi, a Madang participant added that the training was refreshing as before in the village, they would make up the rules as they went along and is therefore thankful that BFPNG, FIBA and ADF came forward to inform and upskill their officiating skills and knowledge. “I have been elevated to another level, now I have the confidence to run a basketball match and I love the sport even more.” The BFPNG thanked FIBA Oceania and ADF with special mentions made to Jay Clarke (ADF Captain), Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Jo, Major Daniel Swifty ADF Army Officer, Operations Officer for ADF and Flight Sergeant Tatum, Annie Le Fleur FIBA Development Manager, and Peter Topp, Manager of Basketball for Good.