BBNZ Awards – Nomination and Selection Criteria

Associations can nominate people for some of these awards, while other awards are proposed by BBNZ, National Coaches or are selected from past recipients of other awards.

• BBNZ Awards are held annually
• Nominations are open from 10 November 2023 to 1 March 2024
• The awards are decided by the appropriate sign-off authority being the Awards Selection Committee, or the BBNZ CEO, or the BBNZ Board
• The decision of the sign-off authorities is final and no correspondence will be entered into
• Award recipients will be invited to an awards function at the expense of BBNZ (flights and accommodation for the awards recipients only)

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.

Each award has different criteria.  Below is a description of each award, the criteria and the sign-off.

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.

Sign-off

• Recommended 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

HALL OF FAME
Description – The BBNZ Hall of Fame (BBNZHOF) is created to recognise those people who have made a distinguished 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. A player must be retired for at least 2 years from the highest level of competition in which he/she competed to be eligible for induction into BBNZHOF.
2. The Award will reflect distinguished contribution to basketball in New Zealand in one of the five divisions.
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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ Board
• Nomination Form: Hall of Fame Nomination Form

SIR LANCE CROSS AWARD
Description – For exceptional services to basketball.

Criteria:

1. Any person or organisation that, in the opinion of the Board, has given outstanding service to New Zealand Basketball at national and/or international levels over an extended period, and/or
2. Any person who, in the opinion of the BBNZ Board, has brought honour and achievement to New Zealand Basketball at the national or international level.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ Board
• Nomination Form: Sir Lance Cross Award Nomination Form

ZENA B. GAY AWARD
Description – Presented to someone who has made a notable 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 to New Zealand women’s Basketball at national and/or international levels over an extended period, and/or
2. any person who, in the opinion of the BBNZ Board, has brought honour and achievement to New Zealand women’s Basketball at the national or international level.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ Board
• Nomination Form: Zena B. Gay Award Nomination Form

MURRAY MCMAHON AWARD
Description – Presented to someone who has made a notable 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 to New Zealand men’s Basketball at national and/or international levels over an extended period, and/or
2. any person who, in the opinion of the BBNZ Board, has brought honour and achievement to New Zealand men’s Basketball at the national or international level.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ Board
• Nomination Form: Murray McMahon Award Nomination Form

MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Criteria: Based on their National and International performance, their statistical performance and season accolades.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Tall Blacks Head Coach and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Male Player of the Year Award Nomination Form

FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Criteria: Based on their National and International performance, their statistical performance and season accolades.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Tall Ferns Head Coach and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Female Player of the Year Award Nomination Form

MVP
Criteria: Based on their statistical performance and season accolades. They will have upheld the qualities of basketball including integrity, sportsmanship, and leadership and will be a role model for the game.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: All National Coaches and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: MVP Nomination Form

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 Database during the award eligibility period
• Have the relevant Basketball New Zealand coaching qualifications
• Be a member in good standing with Basketball New Zealand

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.

CAROLYN GREY AWARD
Description – Female Coach of the Year.

Criteria: Awarded to the female coach who has given an outstanding contribution to coaching basketball in New Zealand during the award period

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Coach Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Carolyn Grey Award Nomination Form

KEITH MAIR AWARD
Description – Male Coach of the Year

Criteria: Awarded to the male coach who has given an outstanding contribution to coaching basketball in New Zealand during the award period.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Coach Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Keith Mair Award Nomination Form

SERVICES TO COACHING AWARD
Description – Notable contribution to coaching (including the NBL, Tauihi and Internationals).

Criteria: Awarded to the coach who has given an outstanding contribution to coaching basketball in New Zealand over a prolonged period of time.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Coach Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Service to Coaching Award Nomination Form

LANCE MCLOUGHLIN TROPHY
Description – 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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Junior Tall Ferns Head Coach
• Selected by: Not Applicable
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Lance McLoughlin Trophy Nomination Form

AMBASSADORS TROPHY
Description – 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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Junior Tall Blacks Head Coach
• Selected by: Not Applicable
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Ambassadors Trophy Nomination Form

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Description: The Community Partnership Award category is an opportunity to identify, celebrate, promote and encourage exceptional partnering with a regional or local entity for the benefit of community basketball. The Community Partnership Award identifies, celebrates and encourages collaborative projects/initiatives which positively impact children, young people and their whānau.

Criteria:

• This award is open to BBNZ Member Associations and Associate Members
• The initiative has a focus on community basketball
• The initiative addresses and responds to an issue or opportunity within a local and/or regional community
• The success of the initiative can be measured (participation data, feedback, outcomes)
• There was a high level of community engagement
• The success of the initiative was thanks to the contribution and involvement of at least two organisations/stakeholders

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Community Advisory Group (CAG)
• Approved by: BBNZ Board
• Nomination Form: Community Awards Nomination

COMMUNITY INNOVATION AWARD

Description: The Community Excellence Award category is an opportunity to identify, recognise and celebrate exceptional community initiatives delivered by member associations in community leadership in areas such as diversity and inclusion, innovation and community impact. This award celebrates the provision of outstanding participation opportunities, removing barriers to participate and community impact.

Criteria:

• This award is open to BBNZ Member Associations and Associate Members
• The initiative has a focus on community basketball
• The initiative addresses and responds to an issue or opportunity within a local and/or regional community
• The success of the initiative can be measured (participation data, feedback, outcomes)
• There was a high level of community engagement
• The initiative had a strong focus on providing new participation opportunities and removing barriers to participation

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Community Advisory Group (CAG)
• Approved by: BBNZ Board
• Nomination Form: Community Awards Nomination

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 basketball

Criteria: 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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Cedric Cudby Award Nomination Form

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 prolonged period of time.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Ian Goodwin Services to Officiating Nomination Form

YOUNG OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Description – Awarded to a young official who has honoured the game of basketball and shows true potential as either a:

a) Referee
b) Score bench official
c) Statistics official

Criteria: Maximum age to be 21 years as of 31 December in the award period.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Young Official of the Year Award Nomination Form

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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Long Service Awards Nomination Form

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT 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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ
• Selected by: Awards Selection Committee
• Approved by: BBNZ CEO
• Nomination Form: Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination

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.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ Board Members
• Selected by: BBNZ Board
• Approved by: BBNZ AGM to be voted on
• Nomination Form: Life Membership Nomination Form

STAR AWARD
Description – Awarded to a person(s) or organisation that has given a notable contribution to basketball in New Zealand at any level but may sit outside of traditional basketball organisations.  The intention is to reward long time sponsors, administrators etc.

Criteria: Must have contributed significantly to basketball in New Zealand, either over an extended period or via a special project.

Sign-off

• Recommended by: Associations and BBNZ Board Members
• Selected by: BBNZ Board
• Approved by: BBNZ AGM to be voted on
• Nomination Form: Star Award Nomination Form