Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is excited to return to the Taranaki region with its popular Hoops in Schools programme, delivering another 12 hoops across schools in the region.
Following an application process, six schools – Fitzroy School, West End Te Kura Ō Mōrere, Eltham Primary School, Inglewood Primary School, Egmont Village School and St Joseph’s Opunake – will receive much-needed new outdoor hoops in their kura.
This is the third straight year that Hoops in Schools has invested in this region’s basketball facilities, after rolling out 24 new hoops across 12 schools in 2022 and then an additional 24 hoops in 2023; making it 60 hoops delivered across Taranaki over the past three years.
Hoops in Schools partners with schools, funders, local basketball associations and other basketball providers to put more fit-for-purpose hoops in schools – so that tamariki and rangatahi are more active and having fun playing hoops in their local communities. Alongside the hoops themselves, each school also receives in-school coaching and access to basketball resources.
Funding plays a huge part in making these outcomes happen; with BBNZ, Basketball Taranaki and Sport Taranaki working with valued funder New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), and additional delivery support provided by the Taranaki Steelformers Airs and Taranaki Thunder. In all, over $300,000 has been sourced and invested into these three Hoops in Schools projects over the past three years.
BBNZ Facilities and Insights Lead, Dan Dawick says that Hoops in Schools has been able to meet the growing demand for basketball in the Taranaki region.
“It’s been incredible to see the groundswell of basketball support across the Taranaki region, led by General Manager Kevin Fenwick and his Basketball Taranaki team – and with the incredible funding support of NZCT over the past three years,” says Dawick.
“Hoops in Schools continues to provide sustainable opportunities for everyone to have a go, get out and about, have fun and get active – and we’re seeing more tamariki and rangatahi across Taranaki wanting to pick up a ball and hoop with their friends and whānau.
“We know the growth and popularity of the sport isn’t going to slow down any time soon, so the best thing we can do is give the community access to the facilities they need to grow their game – and that’s what Hoops in Schools and Hoops in Parks is all about.”
Fitzroy School principal, Dee Luckin says that the Fitzroy School community are “over the moon” to be recipients of the 2024 Hoops in Schools roll out.
“The exciting addition of airtime hoops to our school and community will provide an increased opportunity to be active, socialise, shoot hoops, enhance personal wellbeing and foster our sense of community,” says Luckin.
“Thank you BBNZ, NZCT and Basketball Taranaki for supporting our community and continuing to grow the game of basketball.”
About Hoops In Schools
Hoops in Schools is a BBNZ programme that partners with schools, funders, local basketball associations and other basketball providers. The concept puts more fit-for-purpose hoops in schools, so young people are more active and having fun playing hoops in their communities.
Over the past six years, Hoops in Schools and its partner programme Hoops in Parks, has delivered over 200 basketball hoops around the country for public use.
Find out more at https://nz.basketball/get-involved/hoopsinschools/
Hoops In Schools – Taranaki (2024)
Fitzroy School
West End Te Kura Ō Mōrere
Eltham Primary School
Inglewood Primary School
Egmont Village School
St Joseph’s Opunake
