According to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), basketball has grown to a sport played by 450 million people worldwide. The NBA in the United States reigns supreme, and its popularity is evident in the fact that it is broadcast on TV in more than 200 countries and in over 40 languages. However, even with the global popularity of basketball, the environment and culture of basketball in each country varies. In this “GlobasketUnited” series, Mie Kajikawa, Founder and Representative Director of Next Big Pivot and FIBA Foundation Advisory Committee Member, visits Embassies of basketball countries in Tokyo to discover cultural background and popularity of baskteball of each country, as well as to listen to their opinions of the power of baskteball for social change, with the following four perspectives.
1st Quarter : Popularity of Basketball
2nd Quarter : Sports Policy
3rd Quarter : Power of Basketball for Social Good
4th Quarter : Views on Basketball in Japan
Read First Half
Australia is using basketball as a powerful tool for diplomacy, community building, and empowerment. In her conversation with Ms. Bec Allen, Mie continued to explore Australia’s vital role in advancing social good – and highlighted how sport is strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
３rd Quarter : Power of Basketball for Social Good – Basketball for Unity and Impact
— Could you introduce some examples of how basketball is used for social good in Australia?
Ms. Bec Allen: Yes, I’d be happy to share three examples.
First, at the elite level, we focus particularly on our region through our sports diplomacy strategy, which sits within our broader foreign affairs portfolio. A key part of that strategy is strengthening ties within the Indo-Pacific, especially the Pacific region.
We run a program called PacificAus Sports, which supports elite-level athletes from across the Pacific to train and compete internationally. In basketball, we’ve provided support to national teams in Fiji and Samoa, helping them train in Australia and compete in major events. The goal is to help them be competitive enough to qualify for regional tournaments like the Asian Games, the FIBA World Cup, or even the Olympics.
This model has seen great success in sports like rugby sevens. In fact, the Fijian women’s team—which we supported—ended up beating Australia at the Olympics. That’s quite the KPI, even if we were on the losing side!
Second, at the grassroots level, we have a program called Team Up, also based in the Pacific. It uses sport as a tool for social development. Basketball is one of the seven sports in the program, and it’s active in several Pacific countries. The focus is on access and inclusion—making sure women and girls, people with disabilities, families, and remote or regional communities have the opportunity to participate in sport.
So those are our two flagship regional programs, and Australia is currently running the largest sports diplomacy and sports development initiatives in the Pacific.
The third example is a domestic initiative called Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA), which is championed by Patty Mills, captain of the Australian men’s national team, the Boomers. Patty founded IBA to support First Nations youth, as well as young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, through basketball.
IBA uses sport to promote social cohesion, give young people a positive outlet, and offer meaningful opportunities—especially in regional and remote communities. It’s run as a non-profit organization, and its impact has been truly significant.
— Because he has been successful, he wanted to give back.
Ms. Bec Allen: Yes, he’s an incredible role model. So many kids—both Indigenous and non-Indigenous—look up to him.
— Wow, that’s amazing. So basketball is making a positive impact both at home in Australia and across the Pacific region. You really have success stories across all three levels: the elite player, the grassroots community, and international cooperation. You’re even helping other countries!
Ms. Bec Allen: We are. We support other countries to compete—and ideally, even to beat us!
— That’s a true success story. Australia really demonstrates leadership in the Pacific region.
Ms. Bec Allen: It’s part of our national identity. Sport has a unique ability to bring countries and communities together—especially in the Pacific. It’s a fun and powerful way to connect.
But more than that, sport has the power to build community leadership. Athletes can become positive role models and leaders who promote inclusion and healthy living. So for us, investing in sport is not just strategic—it delivers real, tangible benefits in everyday life.
— I see. Australia is a big island, and the Pacific region is made up of many smaller island nations. There’s a vast ocean between you, but it sounds like you still see it as one connected community.
Ms. Bec Allen: Absolutely—and that’s exactly how we talk about it. Geographically, we are very much part of the Pacific. We often refer to it as our Pacific neighborhood, and the people in it as our Pacific friends.
But it’s also reflected in our community. Many Australians have heritage or family ties to countries like Fiji, Tonga, or Samoa. The connection to the region is personal and deeply rooted—it just makes sense.
— I see. And you believe sport is a powerful tool to unite people.
Ms. Bec Allen: Absolutely. One more thing I’d like to highlight—especially in connection with Japan and the theme of social good—is the growing recognition and investment in para sports, especially since Tokyo 2020.
We work closely with Para Sports Japan, particularly in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, goalball, and blind soccer. Right now, para sports probably make up the largest number of Australian sports teams visiting Japan.
Wheelchair basketball, in particular, is gaining real momentum in both Japan and Australia. We’re close rivals, of course, but also strong partners.
— Thank you for sharing that. Yes, para sports are important in basketball community. The FIBA Foundation is also working to empower people with disabilities through sport.
4th Quarter : Views on Basketball in Japan – From Karlu to the Court: Basketball Bridges Nations
— The fourth question is about your thoughts on Japanese basketball and our national teams. What do you think?
Ms. Bec Allen: Well, that’s actually why I brought Karlu with me.
— Oh? What’s that?
Ms. Bec Allen: This is Karlu—she was the mascot for the FIBA Women’s World Cup that we hosted in Sydney in 2022.
— Oh yes, I remember that! FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia! That was the last time the Opals played against Japan, wasn’t it?
Ms. Bec Allen: Yes! And we won. It was 71–54 and Australia got some revenge!
That tournament was significant for several reasons. Most importantly, it marked the beginning of what we now call the Green and Gold Decade.
The Green and Gold Decade began in 2022 and runs through to 2032, when we’ll host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. During this period, Australia will host five of the seven largest sporting events in the world. It’s amazing that the FIBA Women’s World Cup was the first of those events.
In 2023, we had the FIFA Women’s World Cup—with both Nadeshiko and the Matildas. It was incredible. Next year, we’ll host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and we’re hoping for another Nadeshiko vs. Matildas showdown.
Then in 2027, we host the Men’s Rugby World Cup, in 2029 the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and in 2032, the Olympics and Paralympics.
—- So you’ve mapped it all out—The Green and Gold Decade.
Ms. Bec Allen: We originally called it the Green and Gold Runway, but some people in sport said, “Runway? That sounds like fashion!” So we switched to Decade. It’s really special that this whole journey began with basketball—and women’s basketball at that. Every game during that 10-day tournament was sold out. It was huge, held at Olympic Park, using the infrastructure from Sydney 2000. It was an incredible success.
—- When do you think Australia and Japan will face off again in basketball?
Ms. Bec Allen: Probably at the next FIBA Men’s World Cup. But in general, we’re trying to encourage more international friendlies across all sports.
—- That’s a great idea.
Ms. Bec Allen: It already happens regularly in rugby and football, and we’d love to see more of it in basketball too.
— In fact, I recently found a news of collaboration with B.League and the NBL. They’re now working more closely than ever before, sending young Japanese players to NBL1 (Australia’s second-tier league). It’s a great opportunity for them to develop their skills at a more physical, competitive level—and also to learn to play at the international level. It’s a challenge—not just physically but also linguistically and culturally. They have to adapt to an English-speaking environment, which is really valuable.
I remember we even had an international game just before the FIBA World Cup last year, and I look forward to more matchups! And hopefully we’ll see more collaboration. Thank you so much for your time!
