- Who can nominate?
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Associations can nominate people for some of these awards, while other awards are proposed by BBNZ, the Awards Nomination Committee, High-Performance staff or are selected from past recipients of other awards.
- What is the process?
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- BBNZ Awards are held annually
- Nominations are open from 1 November 2026 to 1 March 2027.
- All award nominations are sent to the Awards Nomination Committee (ANC). The ANC the proposes award recipients from this list to the Awards Selection Committee (ASC) selection to then go to the appropriate sign-off authority, which is either the BBNZ CEO or the BBNZ Board.
- The decision of the sign-off authorities is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- How can I nominate someone?
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Complete the appropriate online form. You will not be able to submit the form unless all mandatory fields have been completed. A link to each form can be found at the end of each award section below. It is important to spend some time compiling a thorough biography of the nominee as this helps the Awards Nomination Committee in their role of selecting suitable nominees to proceed to the Awards Selection Committee.
- What is the criteria?
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Each award has different criteria. Below is a description of each award, the criteria and the sign-off.
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Legend Award Description The Legend Award is made to any player, coach, technical official, contributor or team, who in the opinion of the BBNZ Board has achieved ‘legend’ status in the sport of basketball and whose service to basketball is worthy of the highest honour. Criteria The Legend Award is the ultimate award in the BBNZ Hall of Fame category and can be made only to persons who have been inducted into the BBNZ Hall of Fame previously. One legend may be inducted each award period. In exceptional circumstances the Board may approve more than one Legend Award in an award period. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by Can only be selected from past recipients of the Hall of Fame. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ Board Nomination form Not Applicable - TIER 2
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Hall of Fame Description The BBNZ Hall of Fame (BBNZHOF) is created to recognise those people who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of basketball in New Zealand at any level. The intention is to reflect the history of the sport in NZ. Inductees will be in five divisions: (a) Coach, (b) Player, (c) Technical Official, (d) Contributor, (e) Team Criteria 1. Players, Coaches and Technical Officials must be retired for at least 4 years from the highest level of competition in New Zealand.
2. Inductees can be nominated in more than one category.
3. A maximum of four inductees per award period per division is allowed. In exceptional circumstances the BBNZ Board may approve more than four inductions in a division in any award period.
4. Awards do not have to be made in each division in each award period.
5. Awards may be made posthumously.Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ, NZBF, Awards Nomination Committee and Associations. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ Board Nomination form Award nomination form Sir Lance Cross Award Description For outstanding services to basketball. Criteria 1. Any person or organisation that, in the opinion of the BBNZ Board, has given outstanding service and brought honour and achievement to basketball at a national and/or international level over 25 years or more.
Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ, NZBF, Awards Nomination Committee and Associations. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ Board Nomination form Award nomination form Zena B. Gay Award Description Presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to women’s basketball in New Zealand. Criteria 1. Any person or organisation that, in the opinion of the BBNZ Board, has given outstanding service and brought honour and achievement to basketball at a national and/or international level over 25 years or more.
Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ, NZBF, Awards Nomination Committee and Associations. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ Board Nomination form Award nomination form Murray McMahon Award Description Presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to men’s basketball in New Zealand. Criteria 1. Any person or organisation that, in the opinion of the BBNZ Board, has given outstanding service and brought honour and achievement to basketball at a national and/or international level over 25 years or more.
Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ, NZBF, Awards Nomination Committee and Associations. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ Board Nomination form Award nomination form - TIER 3
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Female Player of the Year Criteria Based on their National and International performance, their statistical performance and season accolades. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ Selected by Panel of 5x5 and 3x3 Head Coaches and GM High Performance Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Closed. Male Player of the Year Criteria Based on their National and International performance, their statistical performance and season accolades. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ Selected by Panel of 5x5 and 3x3 Head Coaches and GM High Performance Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Closed COACHING AWARDS
Objective
The purpose of the Basketball New Zealand Coaching Awards is to recognise dedication and excellence in coaching during the award period. Each recipient will be selected for their outstanding achievement in the category in which they have been nominated, and for their unique contribution to the advancement and well-being of players and basketball
Eligibility
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- A registered coach in the National Coaching Database during the award eligibility period
- Have the relevant Basketball New Zealand coaching qualifications
- Coached with 5×5 or 3×3 teams
- Be a member in good standing with Basketball New Zealand
Selection Process
A panel comprising two of our most esteemed coaches, Carolyn Grey and Keith Mair, along with the G.M of High Performance will select coaches from the 5×5 and 3×3 disciplines. If it is deemed that no candidate meets the selection criteria in a particular category, the selection committee may choose not to grant the award in that particular year.
Carolyn Grey Award - Female Coach of the Year Criteria Awarded to the female coach who has given an outstanding contribution to coaching 5×5 or 3×3 basketball in New Zealand during the award period. Selection Process Applications are evaluated by a selection committee appointed by BBNZ and including representation from the BBNZ Coach Advisory Group. The members of this committee will be carefully chosen to ensure balanced representation. If it is deemed that no candidate meets the selection criteria in a particular category, the selection committee may choose not to grant the award in that particular year. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ Selected by Panel comprising Carolyn Grey, Keith Mair and GM High Performance Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Closed. Keith Mair Award - Male Coach of the Year Criteria Awarded to the male coach who has given an outstanding contribution to coaching 5×5 or 3×3 basketball in New Zealand during the award period. Selection Process Applications are evaluated by a selection committee appointed by BBNZ and including representation from the BBNZ Coach Advisory Group. The members of this committee will be carefully chosen to ensure balanced representation. If it is deemed that no candidate meets the selection criteria in a particular category, the selection committee may choose not to grant the award in that particular year. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ Selected by Panel comprising Carolyn Grey, Keith Mair and GM High Performance Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Closed. Lance McLoughlin Trophy - Female Junior Player of the Year Criteria Awarded to the female junior player who has achieved most during the award period and demonstrates the qualities of integrity, sportsmanship and character. To include both 5×5 and 3×3 performance. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ Selected by Panel of 5x5 and 3x3 Head Coaches for either U17 or U19 National teams and GM High Performance Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Closed. Ambassadors Trophy - Male Junior Player of the Year Criteria Awarded to the male junior player who has achieved most during the award period and demonstrates the qualities of integrity, sportsmanship and character. To include both 5×5 and 3×3 performance. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by BBNZ Selected by Panel of 5x5 and 3x3 Head Coaches for either U17 or U19 National teams and GM High Performance Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Closed. Cedric Cudby Volunteer Award Description Notable Voluntary Services to Basketball in one of the following categories:
1. Officiating
2. Coaching of basketball
3. Administration/Management
4. Extension of basketballCriteria Awarded to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to basketball in New Zealand over ten years or more at any level in any of the four categories listed. A maximum of two awards may be made in each award period. Presentation To be presented online during the week of National Volunteer day Nominated by Associations and BBNZ Selected by BBNZ Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Award nomination form
[table “68” not found /]Ian Goodwin Services to Officiating Description Notable contribution to officiating (refereeing, score bench and statistics) in New Zealand (including the NBL, WBC and Internationals). Criteria Awarded to an official of basketball who has given an outstanding contribution to officiating basketball in New Zealand over a period of at least 15 years. Presentation Presented online in the lead up to the BBNZ Awards Nominated by Associations and BBNZ Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Award nomination form
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Long Service Awards Description 30, 40 and 50 year service awards Criteria To honour people who have contributed 30, 40 or 50 years to basketball in New Zealand at any level. All recipients will receive the 30, 40 or 50 year pin with the 50 year contributors also receiving a plaque. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by Associations, BBNZ and NZBF. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Award nomination form Lifetime Acheivement Award Description 60+ years service award. Criteria To honour people who have contributed 60+ years to basketball in New Zealand at any level. All recipients will receive the Lifetime Achievement pin with the Lifetime Achievement plaque. Presentation Presented in-person at the BBNZ Awards. Nominated by Associations, BBNZ and NZBF. Selected by Awards Selection Committee Approved by BBNZ CEO Nomination form Award nomination form Life Membership Description To honour members of the basketball community for their outstanding and longstanding contribution to basketball in New Zealand. Criteria The primary requirement is high-level personal effort or initiative, in one of the designated areas that has contributed to the performance/s of players, technical officials, coaches, administrators, other volunteers and/or to the development and status of the sport of basketball in New Zealand. Presentation Presented at the AGM if voting is successful. Nominated by Associations and BBNZ Board Members Selected by BBNZ Board Approved by BBNZ AGM to be voted on Nomination process Email your nomination to bbnzboard@nz.basketball by 5pm 31 March 2026.
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