AYAD Ryan Burns contract extended

Both the Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) and FIBA Oceania were glad to learn that the contract of Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) Ryan Burns has been extended for a further 3 months. Ryan has been working with NBDO Golden Kiloko and the SIBF for the past 6 months to steadily increase the basketball activity within the Solomon Islands.

"Particularly over the last few months basketball has really taken off, and its great to see so many people enjoying the game. I was really concerned that I wasn't going to be able help this continue, but thankfully my contract has been extended" said Ryan last night after the first round of the HBA Super 4 Knockout Challenge.

Since June this year Ryan and Golden have been involved with the following basketball competitions in the Solomon Islands:
1. 3rd Solomon Games, Makira Province
2. U/20 Competition
3. Honiara Constituency Games
4. Honiara Provincial Games
5. HBA Transworld Construction Super 4 Knockout Competition

The next item on the agenda for the SIBF to work towards selecting the men's and women's national squad so that they may prepare for the South Pacific Games in August 2007.
"It's really a very exciting time for basketball at the moment in the Solomons, it's going to take some time but we are continually building the sport up. The competitive nature of Solomon Islanders is positive and intense, which creates a great atmosphere at every basketball event!" Said AYAD Ryan Burns who is hoping to stay in the Solomon Islands at least until January 2007 so that he may attend the Avaiki Games to be held in December in Bellona, and further the development of basketball in the provinces.