Also the winner of the Official of the Year, Willie Bryant was acknowledged over 40 years of service to the game.
Bryant has worked virtually every role in basketball, but it was in officiating that Bryant made his greatest contribution. Referees are vital to sport and developing New Zealand referees is important to the future of basketball.
Bryant is still involved in referee development in Palmerston North where he is the Referee Coordinator, a volunteer role. In that job Bryant works with around 75 junior referees to provide mentoring and guidance for the next generation of officials.
He has also been involved with Basketball Pacific as a coach and referee, and is still a Referee Trainer and Evaluator for Basketball New Zealand. Bryant has had a huge impact at local level, coaching, managing and refereeing in Palmerston North, and is a life member of Basketball Manawatu.
