Michelle Roffey, Public servant/Sport educator - Fiji

Sports carnival on Taveuni Island, Fiji Michelle Roffey, has a lifelong passion for basketball and has been involved as a player, coach and administrator. She also has a degree in Health Sciences so her work with the Fiji Amateur Basketball Federation in Suva, Fiji as an Australian Youth Ambassador was a terrific use of her skills and interests. In Fiji, sport is a great social leveller. "It gives kids of all ages and backgrounds skills and forges friendships between people who may not ordinarily meet. It offers positive ways of using spare time and the health benefits are obvious," says Michelle Roffey. "Part of my work, is to help develop the skills of local basketball players and coaches so that when I leave, the players will be able to run their own training courses and continue the health and social benefits." Transport is a big issue for many players. If they don't live within walking distance of a court, it's hard for kids to play at all. In the rainy season outdoor courts are also a problem for regular training and matches but in some places, groups are raising funds so that they can cover the courts. At present, Fiji ranks third in the region in basketball after Australia and New Zealand. "If we were to win gold at an international event, it would be such a big thing for the sport and would be so good for Fiji in general," Michelle Roffey says.