Basketball New Zealand is excited to announce that Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has expanded its commitment to basketball in Aotearoa, with a ground-breaking new partnership that sees them further investing in community basketball and communities across the country.
The partnership comes at a crucial time for the sport, with basketball booming among young New Zealanders and secondary school participation up 78% since 2000. But the sport’s rapid growth is putting pressure on the grassroots game, with communities needing more places to play and more coaches to keep up with demand.
To help address these challenges, BNZ will take over as naming rights sponsors of the Hoops in Parks (now BNZ Hoops in Parks), as well as a further commitment to help grow the number of grassroots coaches through BNZ’s Community Coaching programme.
In research commissioned by Basketball New Zealand surveying the basketball community, 92% of respondents identified access to facilities as a key priority area, while 89% said coach development should be a major focus for the future of the game.
Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive, Belinda Edwards, knows just how important the new-look partnership is for the organisation’s lofty goals;
“We are incredibly excited to see BNZ’s commitment to growing two of the most significant target areas for basketball in New Zealand.”
“We’re always looking for new ways to improve accessibility to quality outdoor facilities and hoops, and we know that quality coaching experiences are one of the strongest drivers of youth retention in sport”
“BNZ’s involvement in Kiwi Hoops has seen the programme reach over 90,000 young hoopers over the last 3 years, helping to grow their love for the sport. It’s fantastic to see them further support community basketball by investing in BNZ Hoops in Parks, and BNZ Community Coaching which are critical areas for the sustainability of basketball in Aotearoa.”
The first BNZ Hoops in Parks installation was opened last week in Wakefield Village in Tasman, a community affected by last year’s severe flooding and in need of new recreational infrastructure. The new hoop forms part of a locally led 3×3 community court near the McGazzaland pump track, creating a new space for local young people and families to play.
Further installations are planned this year in Christchurch and Hutt City, with more locations to follow.
Over the next two years, BNZ Community Coaching will support grassroots coaches with a new online hub, practical tools through the CoachMate app, workshops and webinars, as well as better recognising the contribution these volunteers make to the game.
BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says the partnership reflects BNZ’s focus on backing initiatives that strengthen communities and grow the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
“Basketball has a special ability to bring people together – whether that’s young people shooting hoops after school, families connecting on the sidelines, or volunteers giving their time to coach the next generation,” he says.
“As the game grows, communities need more places to play and more support for the people who make grassroots sport possible. We’re proud to expand our partnership with Basketball New Zealand through practical programmes that help make the game more accessible for communities across Aotearoa.”
For more info on BNZ Community Coaching see here
For more info on BNZ Hoops in Parks see here
For more info on BNZ Kiwi Hoops see here
