BNZ Hoops in Parks

BNZ Hoops in Parks is a collaborative partnership that was created by Basketball New Zealand and Hastings District Council, supported by Basketball Hawke’s Bay and Sport Hawke’s Bay – an extension to our successful Hoops in Schools programme. Like Hoops in Schools, BNZ Hoops in Parks is a programme to give communities more places to shoot hoops in their local communities, utilising existing council land and green space. A lack of suitable facilities (indoor and outdoor) remains one of basketball’s toughest barriers. Currently many local communities are unable to support the growth, as they do not have basketball backboards and courts in outdoor recreational areas to cater for the demand.

As well as providing more sustainable, long term participation opportunities for communities, BNZ Hoops in Parks is also providing another outlet to increase physical activity outside of a school setting, an ever-increasing concern for the well-being of our tamariki and rangatahi.

Basketball New Zealand’s vision is ‘a hoop in the heart of every community’ – BNZ Hoops in Parks is helping us achieve this.

Read more about our Flaxmere Pilot in a Case Study produced by Sport New Zealand here. 

Basketball New Zealand is proud to have partnered with a number of district councils, regional sports trusts, local associations and community organisations to roll out BNZ Hoops in Parks initiatives across Aotearoa. These projects are helping create more accessible spaces for people of all ages to play basketball in their local communities, supporting both participation growth and stronger community connection.

Through these partnerships, new outdoor hoops, upgraded courts and activation opportunities have been delivered in parks, schools and public recreation spaces throughout the country. The initiative aims to remove barriers to participation by providing free, visible and welcoming places to play, particularly for young people and communities with limited access to indoor facilities.

BNZ Hoops in Parks continues to grow as councils and community partners recognise the value of basketball as a simple, inclusive and highly accessible sport. Basketball New Zealand remains committed to working collaboratively with local partners to expand opportunities for informal play and help ensure more New Zealanders can connect with the game in their own neighbourhoods.