Basketball is one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the country. And Auckland Basketball Services is a region-wide organisation that coordinates and oversees the development of this fun sport.
‘We put basketball in the heart of Auckland’s communities,’ declares Chief Executive Claire Hamilton. She adds that this involves bringing basketball to where kids already play, from car parks and schools to local outdoor courts or indoor facilities.
Auckland Basketball Services works closely with Waitakere-West Auckland Basketball Inc. to promote the sport locally. They operate from The Trusts Arena and oversee several regional junior and senior leagues.
However, an exciting new initiative has taken basketball to a whole new audience of eager young players. A thriving community basketball programme has seen player numbers swell partly thanks to $10,000 funding from the Your West Support Fund.
‘The programme aimed to overcome some of the barriers to participation, such as cost, travel and lack of access to facilities,’ says Claire. She adds that the organisation knew that many tamariki were missing out on basketball thanks to the cost-of-living crisis and the impact of the Auckland floods on local communities.
The programme included a range of initiatives designed to broaden the sport’s base and improve local access.
Twenty-five free club memberships were offered to local kids who otherwise couldn’t afford to register. And free league entry was offered so more teams could take part in competitions.
The programme also linked to local schools, where experienced coaches offered free lunchtime sessions to young basketballers.
Furthermore, portable basketball took the game into the heart of local communities on outdoor courts and public spaces throughout West Auckland.
The programme has been a massive hit, helping to grow clubs and competitions and, most importantly, getting more tamariki to enjoy basketball.
‘Thanks to the Your West Support Fund, we’ve been able to help more players get a start by contributing to fees and providing coaching support,’ says Claire.
West Auckland may well be nurturing future Tall Ferns and Tall Black players, so watch this space!
More information is available on the Auckland Basketball Services website.
