Basketball ‘In The Blood’
Be a student of the game if you want to be a successful international playerLetava Whippy
Growing up in Suva, Letava Vainui Williams Whippy wanted to be a national basketball rep like her parents.
And the 29-year-old’s glad she surpassed her dream and achieved more. She is now currently playing international competition abroad. She attended Holy Trinity Anglican School, St Joseph’s Secondary before she joined Church College of New Zealand to complete high school.
Whippy then attended Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
The former Shaq Attack player now plays for Capital Swish in New Zealand.
She captained her Swish team to the semifinal before losing to Harbour Breeze, 64-77, in Sal’s 18IN18 New Zealand Women’s National Basketball League last year.
“I grew up in Suva and had the best childhood always playing basketball with kids in the neighbourhood and family members,” she said.
“My childhood dream was to be like my parents who were both Fiji national basketball reps.
“I never imagined playing basketball in other countries would be a possibility for me though.”
Basketball is very much in the blood for the Whippy family- her father, Michael, originally from Wainunu, Bua, was a former national rep/women coach and mother, Caroline, a former rep/manager.
Her brother David and sister, Mickaelar, were all national basketball reps.
“I grew up playing with both my elder siblings for Shaq and I loved it. I always watched my elder siblings play and there’s no comparison to playing for Fiji alongside my sister.
“There’s an unspoken chemistry between Mikaelar and me when we’re playing together.
“My parents started the Shaq Attack club to allow us to learn and grow in the sport.
“The game has taken my family all over the world, opened doors for greater educational opportunities and life changing experiences. “Despite our collective love and passion for the sport, education was always the priority in our home. “I played my first game with adults at the Raiwaqa court (now Ed’s Court) for Shaq Attack at age 8.
“I’ll never forget the thrill of playing in a real game. Six years later I represented Fiji for the first time in the Under-20 rep side to Coffs Harbour in Australia, where I won my first ever medal (playing alongside my sister with dad as coach and mum as manager).
“That set the tone for my basketball career and I’ve represented Fiji since.”
Whippy acknowledges all women who have paved the way before her. “It’s very humbling being one of the few female Fijian players competing internationally. “Throughout my career I’ve come to know the sacrifices needed to be a successful athlete and the need to juggle multiple aspects of our lives to satisfy societal expectations of females in general.
“I commend all the women in sport who make these sacrifices on a daily basis.”
She indicated that Basketball Fiji’s on track with development of the sport.
And if she was given a chance, she would hold free clinics for young
girls.
“I think Basketball Fiji is doing a commendable job with development of the sport given the resources available.
“I would also hold national camps where older girls and young women learn from coaches of national level
teams and former reps.”
The highlight of her career was the gold medal win at the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.
“Others would be competing at the Olympic Qualifiers in Spain (2008) against top ranked European players, and winning the first ever 3x3 competition for Fiji at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa,” she said. And like every athlete, challenges are part of the sport.
“I’ve never played basketball professionally, but as an international player, a major challenge is being separated from national training squads in the preparation months leading up to competitions (having to rely on my own personal preparation and training).
“Another challenge would be to adjust to new coaches and their playing systems. Being able to buy into these systems and execute coaches’ plans is crucial to the success of any team so that can sometimes be a challenge.”
Future Plans
The mother of one has no intention in retiring from basketball and hopes to continue coaching in future.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be done with basketball. I’m blessed that my son has developed a love for the game, so once I’ve retired as a player, I’ll still be involved through him.”
Advice
“I’ve never earned money to play basketball (thus far) so can’t be considered a professional basketballer just yet,” Whippy said.
“But for any young girl who is looking to play basketball (or any other sport) on an international level, I would advise to become a student of the game.
“Study it as you would study for school or research for a job. Look up to people who have had successful careers and how they were able to achieve it.
With technology at our fingertips, there’s never been a better time to do this.”