HONIARA (Solomon Islands) – Fitzgerald Dausabea from Solomon Islands has emerged as one of the standout participants of the 2025 FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders Program, using the platform to address one of his country’s most pressing health challenges through basketball.
After completing the program’s online modules and in person workshop in Suva, Fiji, supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), he returned home to deliver Hooping Against NCDs, a community project that reached more than 50 young people and raised critical awareness about noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders Program is a key pillar of the FIBA Foundation’s strategy to empower young people to become community champions through Basketball For Good. By equipping emerging leaders with practical tools in project design, communication, and social impact, the program supports FIBA’s broader mission to use basketball as a vehicle for healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient communities.
For Fitzgerald, Fitz as he is known to the basketball community, this structure provided the foundation to turn a personal motivation into a meaningful initiative for youth in the Solomon Islands.
His connection to the country spans four provinces, Malaita, Western, Choiseul, and Isabel, and his sporting journey began not with basketball, but with football. That all changed in Year 13 when he picked up a basketball for the first time and won the national high school competition in the same year.
“I grew to love the sport,” he says, and that passion quickly evolved into a pathway of opportunity. He trained with the men’s national squad, served as a statistician at the 2023 Pacific Games, and began coaching at his former high school, eventually leading both boys’ and girls’ teams. His leadership potential was recognised by the Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF), who encouraged him to join the Basketball For Good – Hoops For Equality Coach training in collaboration with the Australia Government’s TeamUp Program. That experience led him to the Youth Leaders Program and last year was appointed to Basketball For Good Program Coordinator for SIBF.
“Sharing my love of basketball with young people and communities is very fulfilling because I get to use the sport to make a difference in others’ lives,” Fitz said.
The FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders Program strengthened the skills he had already begun to build. “I refined my leadership skills through the program. I learned how to lead teams effectively and execute projects,” Fitz said. “I also improved my adaptability and problem-solving skills, and my self-awareness improved.” solving skills awareness improved.” solving skills awareness improved.” ‑solving skills‑awareness improved.”
The online modules introduced leadership principles and practical tools, while the in-person workshop blended theory with hands-on learning. It was during this time that Fitz identified the issue he wanted to address, one that had touched his own family and continues to affect thousands across the Solomon Islands.
Non‑communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the country, responsible for 60 percent of fatalities. Poor diet, limited physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use all contribute to the crisis. Fitz had lost family members to NCDs and still has loved ones living with them. His project, Hooping Against NCDs, became his way of honouring them while helping young people understand how to protect their own health.
Running the project taught Fitz as much as it taught the participants. He learned how to manage a diverse team of young people, how to create a safe and inclusive environment, and how to navigate the realities of community project delivery. Despite some minor challenges, the project strengthened local basketball pathways, introduced more young people to 3×3, and sparked new interest in healthy living.
Fitz’s vision for sustainability is grounded in capacity building and partnership. He hopes to train more community coaches and teachers to deliver Basketball For Good activities and to continue strengthening relationships with schools, health organisations, and local businesses. His leadership is already shaping a healthier, more connected future for young people in the Solomon Islands, and his journey reflects the essence of the Youth Leaders Program: empowering young people to understand their communities, identify real challenges, and use basketball as a platform for lasting change.
About FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders
The FIBA Foundation’s Youth Leadership program is a global Basketball For Good initiative giving youths the skills and opportunities to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. The Youth Leaders are supported to create their own community impact project, growing the Basketball For Good family worldwide.
About MFAT
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trading (MFAT) is New Zealand’s link to the world, shaping foreign policy, trade, and providing development support, especially in the Pacific. They champion youth development and international cooperation for a better global future. With a commitment to youth development and regional partnerships, MFAT’s strategic objectives aligns with the FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders program goals of fostering leadership and creating positive social impact across the Pacific.
