Ashburton is the latest benefactor of the Hoops in Parks initiative, with the popular community programme headed to the South Island for the first time.
On Sunday 16 April, Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) and Mid Canterbury Basketball opened up a brand new full-length outdoor basketball court at Ashburton’s Tinwald Domain, with local ballers Esra McGoldrick and Ethan Rusbatch on hand to test out the new hoops alongside the community. They were joined by over 200 children and adults, who converged on the popular picnic spot to see their new hoops in action.
Tall Black Ethan Rusbatch, who hails from Christchurch, was impressed with the new court and the public turning out in big numbers on the day.
“It’s been great to be hanging out with the community and introducing them to the new hoops in Ashburton. It’s really good to have these hoops in here for the community and it’s going to bring a lot of people together – hopefully we pick up some new basketball fans and maybe help grow some future Tall Ferns and Tall Blacks too.”
BBNZ Facilities and Insights Lead, Dan Dawick says that these hoops have a recognised impact on the community.
“This is our first Hoops in Parks project this year, and it’s great to be able to bring it to the South Island for the first time – hopefully it’s something that helps to grow basketball in Ashburton over the next few years,” says Dawick.
“It’s important that people have access to facilities like this in their community, it gets people outside and active; it’s a great chance for players to work on their skills and for people new to basketball to get involved for the first time.
“This was a collaborative effort, so credit to the Tinwald Reserve Board, Mid Canterbury Basketball, Tarbotton Land and Civil and the Lion Foundation for making this a reality.”
Ashburton Ward Councillor and Tinwald Reserve Board Chair, Leen Braam believes the new court enhances both the domain and the wider community.
“The Tinwald Domain is an amazing part of Ashburton, and our Board is here to help enhance the domain for this district; we had a big list of things to do and at the top of that list was a basketball court,” says Braam.
“Basketball New Zealand has just been amazing, in no time we had connections and we got started – and now we have a fantastic basketball court here for the community. A lot of people love coming here all the time, and since these hoops have been up I’ve seen people always using it. It’s free, it’s safe and it’s great for everyone.”
Since launching in 2021, BBNZ’s Hoops in Parks has helped to put nine basketball courts in place across Gisborne, Napier, Hastings Wanganui and now Ashburton. Dawick says that more Hoops in Parks are underway this year, as the initiative continues to grow throughout Aotearoa.
“We’re working with local councils, associations and funders to continue the momentum we’ve built over the past two years – and we’ll be back in the South Island later this year so watch this space.”
Find out more about Hoops in Parks at nz.basketball/hoopsinparks
