Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) and the Tall Blacks are thrilled to announce an extension to its partnership with the Bank of New Zealand, which will see the BNZ Kiwi Hoops junior participation programme featuring on the team’s front of singlet in their quest for Olympic glory.
BNZ joined the basketball whanau in 2023 as the naming rights partner of the BNZ Kiwi Hoops junior participation programme, helping to get more tamariki active, healthy and having fun through basketball. With our New Zealand national teams serving as an inspiration for the next generation of basketball players across Aotearoa, both BBNZ and BNZ believe that having the Tall Blacks champion the BNZ Kiwi Hoops programme will only help to continue growing the sport’s popularity across the motu.
This BNZ partnership will see the BNZ Kiwi Hoops logo appear front of shirt on the Tall Blacks uniform for the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers Tournament – held in Greece from 3-7 July – and the friendly series against Finland and Poland preceding this. If the Tall Blacks can finish first at this tournament and thus qualify for the Paris Olympics in July, it would be New Zealand’s first appearance for basketball since 2004.
OQT Games To Screen On TVNZ+ And Duke
Thanks to BNZ’s extended partnership, TVNZ can now also confirm its commitment to the Tall Blacks for their FIBA Olympic Qualifiers campaign; with all of New Zealand’s games shown live on TVNZ+ and with delayed coverage on DUKE at 9am.
BNZ CEO, Dan Huggins says they are incredibly proud to extend their support to the Tall Blacks through the BNZ Kiwi Hoops programme.
“By backing the Tall Blacks, we’re not only supporting our elite athletes but also inspiring the next generation of young New Zealanders who dream of representing their country. We believe in the power of sport to bring communities together and create positive change and we’re thrilled to support the Tall Blacks.”
BBNZ Chief Executive, Dillon Boucher says that this partnership is a big win for basketball – and basketball fans – in New Zealand.
“Since BNZ first came on board with Kiwi Hoops earlier this year, their support has had an immense impact on our programme delivery across the motu,” says Boucher.
“Thanks to BNZ we’ve been able to positively impact thousands of Tamariki through basketball in just a few short months; and now with their support of the Tall Blacks, we have the backing in place to help punch a ticket to Paris in July.
“Our boys will be proud to wear the BNZ Kiwi Hoops brand on their jerseys when they’re on the world stage.”
About BNZ Kiwi Hoops
BBNZ Kiwi Hoops is Basketball New Zealand’s national basketball programme for tamariki. It uses basketball activities and games-based learning to support them to develop skills and confidence and grow their love for the game.
Thanks to its recent partnership with BNZ, the BNZ Kiwi Hoops programme is more visible than ever before – helping to connect more tamariki with local opportunities to get active and have fun. The programme provides best practice tools and resources for coaches, teachers, parents, volunteers, and administrators to ensure everyone involved can play basketball in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Find out more at bbnz.link/BNZKiwiHoops
Tall Blacks Schedule – Friendly games vs Finland & Poland
26 June – New Zealand vs Finland (not broadcast on TVNZ+ or Duke)
29 June – New Zealand vs Poland (not broadcast on TVNZ+ or Duke)
Tall Blacks Schedule – FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Greece
2.30am NZT, 4 July – Croatia vs New Zealand; watch live on TVNZ+ from 2.30am, replay on Duke at 9am
2.30am NZT, 5 July – New Zealand vs Slovenia; watch live on TVNZ+ from 2.30am, replay on Duke at 9am
