Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is now moving into the next phase of its project to improve the basketball delivery system and structure in New Zealand.
BBNZ’s vision is “a hoop in the heart of every community” with a mission to inspire basketball into more lives. Through BBNZ’s Strengthen & Adapt plan – which was launched last year – the ‘structure of the basketball system’ was identified as a key transformational area that could significantly strengthen and improve basketball in New Zealand for all kiwis.
BBNZ Chief Executive, Dillon Boucher says that although the current model is achieving some great outcomes for parts of the basketball community at a grassroots level, the need for change and improvement has been evident.
“The delivery of basketball into the community is not widespread and is not consistent across Aotearoa; in some areas the system itself is fragmented and not performing at an optimal level,” says Boucher.
“This is the basketball community’s chance to further elevate basketball as the number one sport of choice for young people in Aotearoa, to build on its recent growth and participation numbers, and to improve outcomes for the coaches, referees, support staff and volunteers involved.
“We see an exciting opportunity to enhance the alignment and effectiveness of the structure of grassroots basketball in New Zealand – but this will require the basketball community to be united, collaborative and focused on a common vision.”
The aim of the project has been to create a fit-for-purpose delivery model that helps support the growth of the game, deliver consistent, quality experiences for participants, and helps all stakeholders to operate in an aligned manner.
To assist with this process, BBNZ have engaged the services of HTH Consulting as an independent contractor; their role has been to gather information, engage with the basketball community, develop proposal models and provide recommendations to improve the basketball delivery system.
HTH’s Jamie Tong says that consultation, collaboration and the participant have all been at the heart of this project since it was first launched last September.
“For basketball to move forward ‘together’, there needs to be greater clarity about the respective roles and responsibilities of everyone in the ecosystem – so that we understand where there are gaps in its delivery,” says Tong.
“Our role has been to identify potential solutions to the challenge and recommend an improved basketball delivery system to the BBNZ Board. So we’ve gone out and asked the community, what does a great basketball system look like – and they’ve described to us in their own words.
“We’ve developed model concepts based on the input from the basketball community, and prior to the concepts being circulated for further input, we formed a Systems Working Group (which includes Dillon Boucher and BBNZ Board Member Megan Compain, along with Member Association representatives, independent providers and Sport New Zealand) to provide initial feedback.
“Following this, a consultation document has now been sent out to Member Associations for their feedback and input through the next round of consultation scheduled for next week.”
Boucher says that while no decisions have yet been finalised, the need for change has been evident throughout the process.
“This has been a full and robust process, with many touch points and some significant conversations with the key players – so it’s now up to BBNZ and its members to determine the process through which any change will occur.
“Overall, it’s been a positive experience as everyone is focussed on doing what’s best for the basketball community in Aotearoa.”
Ends.
