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Youth Leaders Program Shaping Community Champions in Oceania | About FIBA

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SUVA (Fiji) – The FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders Program has concluded in Fiji with 20 participants from 11 nations across the Oceania region taking part in the 2025 edition of the program. 

Aligning with FIBA’s strategic priority of Youth Development, the core focus of the program is to facilitate, and empower the next generation of leaders on, and off the court through Basketball For Good initiatives. 

“It was an inspiring week to be amongst other youth leaders from the region,” Cook Islands Youth Leader Brianna Lewis said. “Learning about how we can make a difference in our communities through Basketball For Good highlighted the important role we play in educating the next generation of ballers about more than basketball.” 

The in-person component of the program followed four online sessions that introduced and elaborated on topics that included communication, diversity, inclusion, leadership, and personal development. 

“Having the in-person component of the program compliment the online sessions was highly beneficial,” Ms Lewis said.  “The sessions on gender equality, and diversity was really eye-opening, and I think we all sat up, and listened to how we can positively influence our communities back home.” 

Hosted in Suva, Fiji, this was the first time the program was hosted outside of Australia, and New Zealand, with the host country providing participants with insight into grassroots basketball development in the region. 

“As a visual learner, watching the Hoops for Equality program in action on our first day was a game-changer,” Vanuatu Youth Leader Terrence Coleman said.  “That initial observation, combined with their explanations and my peers’ insights, drove home a crucial point: the success of the drills isn’t just about the movements, it’s about the powerful message embedded within them.” 

Supported by the FIBA Foundation and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the extended collaboration significantly boosted the regional offering with FIBA Executive Officer – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins highlighting the importance of these partnerships to elevate program sustainability in the region. 

“The FIBA Foundation Youth Leadership Program is an important initiative within our region, and the added support from MFAT this year enabled us to really elevate how the program was delivered and can be sustained when Youth Leaders return to their home countries,” Ms Jenkins said.  “Longevity of FIBA grassroots programs in the region like Youth Leaders this will not only underpin the future of basketball, but provide communities with a unique way to educate, inform, and empower the next generation.” 

Acting Head of Mission, New Zealand High Commission, Suva, Alex Shahryar-Davies, attended the opening ceremony of the workshop and emphasised the importance of youth leadership programs being integrated through sports. 

“New Zealand is proud to support FIBA’s Youth Leadership program through our Pacific Sport for Development Fund, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to sport in the Pacific,” Mr Shahryar-Davies said. 

“We believe sport is a powerful, unifying force, capable of transcending divides, fostering positive change, and engaging youth in critical issues.  This is especially true in the Pacific, where sport is often woven into the community fabric.  We recognize the immense talent, energy, and potential of Pacific youth, and by providing them with the right tools, we are confident they will become the leaders who will positively transform their communities and the world.” 

Youth Leaders will now return to their home countries to put into action their program learnings by conducting their own Basketball For Good projects with mentorship from FIBA staff. 

About FIBA 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. 



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Two men shot on Rochester’s southwest side

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Rochester, N.Y. — Two people have been arrested following a double shooting Thursday evening on the city’s southwest side.

Officers responded around 5:20 p.m. to the area of Bartlett and Seward streets, where they found two men, ages 20 and 37, who were both shot in the lower body, according to police. Both men were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two suspects, a 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were arrested following a police chase that ended on Pullman Avenue.

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An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.



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Loy Norrix mourns loss of longtime football coach and teacher Ted Duckett

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A longtime football coach and teacher at Loy Norrix High School has died.

Ted Duckett began teaching and coaching at Loy Norrix in 1969, a career spanning over 50 years.

He served as a gym teacher, track coach, football coach, and basketball coach.

Duckett is deeply respected by the community, with many of his former students commending his mentorship.

He is also the father of Loy Norrix football stars Tico and T.J. Duckett, who both played at Michigan State. T.J. Duckett also played in the NFL.

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Long Beach State Can’t Make Enough Plays In Loss To UC Irvine – The562.org

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The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

For ten minutes of the opening half Long Beach State proved they can go toe-to-toe with some of the Big West’s best teams. 

However, the Beach couldn’t get into a rhythm as they dropped their road contest 74-64 Thursday night in Irvine at the Bren Events Center in the first round of the Black and Blue Rivalry.

“Credit to Irvine,” Long Beach State coach Chris Acker said. “They did a good job disrupting our best player, and Gavin. We didn’t have enough guys to step up and make plays tonight.”

Gavin Sykes got the Beach off to a nice start with 4 points to give LBSU a 6-2 lead with 17:19 remaining in the first half. UCI responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game.

However, after Petar Majstorovic was fouled hard by UC Irvine’s Harrison Carrington which was later reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant one – the Beach went on a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead with 14:51 left in the first half. 

Sykes and Majstorovic did what they could as they went up against the Anteaters who entered the contest with the second-best defense in the Big West allowing 67 points per game. 

Before the contest LBSU found out they’d be without one of their key rotational piece as Shaq Bender did not travel with the team as he deals with the flu. The absence loomed large for LBSU as UCI was able to key on Sykes and Majstorovic. 

After taking a 10-6 lead, the Anteaters went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-10 run with 11:30 left in the first half. Sykes ended the run with a 3-pointer to give the Beach a 13-11 lead.

UCI (11-5, 5-0) answered right back thanks to a basket from Jurian Dixon that tied the game and Tama Isaac gave the Anteaters a 15-13 shortly after and that was enough as they’d lead the rest of the way. 

Sykes scored 21 points and Majstorovic scored 15 to lead the Beach. Cole Farrell chipped in nine as the trio combined to shoot 18-32 from the field while the rest of the team shot 7-28. Majstorovic also had eight rebounds. 

LBSU (5-11,1-3) had plenty of opportunities to score, but the Beach wasn’t able to take advantage of the opportunities. 

Dixon led the Anteaters with 23 points and Kyle Evans had 15 points and six rebounds. UCI extended the lead to 18 midway in the second half before LBSU went on a small run to cut the deficit to 10 points. 

Long Beach will continue Big West play when they host Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday at 4 p.m. 



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Philadelphia football coaches complete trauma‑informed training to better support young athletes

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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A group of 15 Philadelphia coaches were recognized Thursday night for completing a program designed to help them better support young athletes facing academic challenges, violence and emotional struggles.

Marcus Fulton, athletic director and football coach at Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, said the sport has long been a guiding force in his own life. “Football helped me chase the dream,” he said.

Fulton said his decades of coaching in the city have shown him the pressures many young players face.

“I’ve been coaching for 25 years in the city of Philadelphia, so I know some of things going on with our guys in terms of the academic struggles, the violence that happens. I lost a couple players before,” he said.

The coaches were honored for completing the Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program, which teaches trauma-informed strategies to help athletes on and off the field.

“We’re teaching coaches how to put on a lens for trauma in order to be able to help out kids a little deeper,” said Valencia Peterson, founder of the program.

Peterson created the initiative after experiencing trauma of her own when her mother was killed at a young age. The program focuses on mentorship, violence prevention and creating safe spaces for youth.

Peterson said coaches often play a critical role in young people’s lives.

“The coach is usually a first line for kids, and it’s their only father figure, it’s their only stability. The only consistent thing they have is a team. So we’re giving the coaches the tools they need to help regulate, to help see them for who they really are,” she said.

As part of the training, coaches learned to lead with empathy, help players manage emotions, and identify signs of mental health concerns.

MidCity Tigers coach Adolph Sanna said he hopes the lessons help athletes understand “that they have an opportunity to see what another side of life is like where people are concerned about their fears, their doubts and the things that are going on with them.”

Fulton said he wants the young men he coaches to carry these lessons into adulthood “to be successful. To be good husbands, good fathers, good mentors in the city of Philadelphia.”

The Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program also offers mentorship for boys and girls who do not participate in sports, aiming to help youth across Philadelphia “become the best version of themselves,” according to the organization.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Plans for Kalamazoo County indoor youth sports complex delayed

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Plans to build a state-of-the-art, $40 million youth sports complex in Kalamazoo County are on hold for now.

The county commission heard plans from the developer during their Thursday night meeting, who asked for variances into protected slopes and woodlands in order to build the facility and parking lot.

The property is a 20-acre site, located within the Westwood area of Kalamazoo adjacent to US-131.

Discover Kalamazoo says the sports complex is expected significantly boost the local economy, potentially generating nearly $49 million annually as well as bring more than 600 full- and part-time jobs.

Local use would be prioritized, increasing participation for underserved youth.

A student athlete from Oshtemo Township spoke of her support for the project during public comment.

“I think it would be cool to play basketball and volleyball at a place like this because there aren’t many places in our area,” she said. “It will help bring new people to our area which will help my mom’s business.”

Some residents spoke in opposition to the project, citing traffic concerns and not wanting a large structure near their homes.

The commission voted to request more information on one variance request that would clear a significant amount of trees before moving forward.



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Fishers nonprofit honors Volunteer of the Year

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Mudsock Youth Athletics has named Tim McCoy as its 2025 Volunteer of the Year, honoring his more than 10 years of service to the Knights football program and his dedication to the organization’s mission to foster character, leadership and community through youth sports.

“Tim’s work with the Knights goes far beyond the field,” Executive Director of Mudsock Youth Athletics Scott Spillman stated. “He has built a program where young athletes not only develop their skills but also learn the importance of responsibility, teamwork and service. His leadership elevates the entire Mudsock community.”

McCoy joined the Knights as an assistant coach in 2015 and became head coach in 2021, according to a news release. Through that volunteer work, he has mentored athletes, supported fellow coaches and strengthened the program’s culture.

“Tim’s dedication sets the tone for the program,” Spillman stated. “The environment he creates encourages young people to strive for their best and fosters connections that last well beyond the season.”

McCoy was honored during the Mudsock Youth Athletics’ annual volunteer appreciation event, which celebrates individuals whose time and commitment make youth sports possible.

“Congratulations to Tim McCoy on this well-earned honor,” the news release stated. “His leadership and service continue to leave a lasting impact on young athletes and the broader Mudsock Youth Athletics community.”

For more about Mudsock Youth Athletics, visit myathletics.com.





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