Basketball Australia (BA) has agreed to extend its partnership agreement with Japan Basketball Association (JBA). BA first entered into a partnership with JBA in 2018, which saw the two Federations exchange knowledge and experiences on various aspects of the sport, with this new agreement to run until December 2023. Both countries have a relationship in that the national teams compete in FIBA Asia tournaments, with this partnership enabling both BA and JBA to share information and best practice around high performance, pathways and national team programs; coach education; development of officials and referees; marketing and technology; and both Federations will work together to further support the development of basketball throughout the Oceania and Asia region. Commenting on the partnership extension, Basketball Australia Chair Ned Coten said: “Basketball Australia is excited at the opportunity to continue to work with our colleagues and friends from Japan Basketball Association. “Under the leadership of President Ms. Yuko Mitsuya, Japan has been able to progress significantly and has strong recognition and much respect from FIBA and all within the global basketball community. In particular, we recognise the development of the elite level of the game and Japan’s continued improvement. “Until now, Australia has been fortunate to have a strong and mutually beneficial relationship on many levels with Japan Basketball Association and we look forward to continuing this. There is much we can help each other with as both countries host World Cup events in the coming years, and Australia is dedicated to ensuring that this work can benefit participants at every level. “Together, our Federations can support the work of FIBA within the Oceania and Asia Zones, and we are excited at the future of basketball in our region.” Ms. Yuko Mitsuya, President of the Japan Basketball Association said: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Basketball Australia to extend the partnership period. “There have been many memorable games with Australia in the last few years, and we have been able to build good relationships with the Chairman of Basketball Australia, Mr. Ned Coten and the members of Basketball Australia and we always think about mutual development between Japan and Australia. I would like to send my sincere appreciation to Basketball Australia for their support. “We will continue to compete on the same stage and aim for the top of the world, but we believe that sharing the knowledge and experience of both countries and our friendly rivalry relationship will lead to the development of basketball in Asia and Oceania. “Australia will host the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2022, and Japan will host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. Both countries would be hosting the world's flagship event so we would like to cooperate in this respect as well. “We hope that the basketball families in Japan will continue to look forward to their activities and ask for their further understanding and cooperation.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions on international travel, any activities attached to this partnership will be done so remotely until such a time as the climate allows.
