Background in basketball / connection to TCBA

My background in basketball starts when I got to high school actually. I grew up in Zimbabwe so not many indoor courts or outdoor ones back then. I played it all the time once I got the bug for buckets. My connection to TCBA is through running a local basketball team in their adult competitions and also coaching through schools. 

Favourite basketball player

Has to be LeBron. Sorry MJ fans. I can't deny what MJ has done for this game we love but have to go with King James. Antman has also got me watching more basketball these days. Excited to see his career unfold. 

Most memorable moment in basketball

I made the first team as a junior. Didn't get much game time and asked to be sent to the 2nd team. We visited our neighbouring school for games, felt very bouncy in warm up and hit a reverse dunk then a couple of normal ones. Looked up and it felt the whole school had turned up out of nowhere. People edging me on to keep doing. It was unreal. Anyway, we won our game and the headmaster with the first team coach came up to me and handed me my first team kit back along with the request to play the main game.

Skills that you bring to the TCBA Board

I would like to think I bring a lot of things to the table. I am creative before anything else. Design is a big part of my life. I hope to navigate the seas on the TCBA ship and help keep it with the times and culture, of basketball. It is a huge part of this community so I really am just happy to be apart of it. 

Background in basketball / connection to TCBA

I started playing for my high school in 5^th Form (Yr 11 for the youngsters). If I could play as well as I could talk I would surely have made the NBA. However a major stumbling block, being lack of talent put pay to that! Watching my three sons playing, reinvigorated my love of the game, and I started playing in the TCBA adult social leagues. In addition to coaching various school teams the boys have played in, I have coached for a few of the TCBA age group rep sides.

Favourite basketball player

Anyone from the ’86 Celtics side. Led by the legend that is Larry Bird, with the hard working Chief and the unguardable Kevin McHale. All of whom were fed easy baskets by DJ, and backed up by the team first focused Bill Walton and a sharpshooting and feisty Danny Ainge.

Most memorable moment in basketball

I remember playing a grudge match against a rival school team. There had been a kid who was whining and trash talking the whole game. I hit a go-ahead 3 over him near the end of the game. It was so satisfying to hear the silence.

More recently I recall coming home from a game, lying on the ground with three ice packs on different parts of my body, including a broken nose. I distinctly recall my wife asking “is this seriously fun for you”. The funny thing was – it sort of was.

Skills that you bring to the TCBA Board

Professionally I work as a corporate banker, and have done so for over two decades across NZ, Ireland and England. I have studied accountancy and finance at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I am currently the Deputy Chairperson for a local primary school, of which I also Chair the Finance Subcommittee. I have also been a Director of two farm business companies for six and sixteen years respectively. I believe I possess a strong financial skillset and governance experience, which would be useful for the TCBA Executive.

Background in basketball / connection to TCBA

I started playing basketball in high school and have played for Manawatū U16s and U18s, Otago U19s and Canterbury U21s. While I was in Dunedin, I also played for what was then known as the Otago Goldrush in the Women’s league.

Since moving to the Mount in 2021, I started playing in the TCBA women’s social league and was in the coaching staff for the Tauranga U18 women’s team in 2023 and coached the same team to a silver medal in 2024.

Favourite basketball player

My favourite player growing up was Carmelo Anthony – I followed him when I saw him win a national title with Syracuse University in 2003 and have followed his career until he retired in 2022. My nephew is also named after him!

Most memorable moment in basketball

Winning a national title with Canterbury U21s in 2008 was pretty special. We had only come 3^rd the year before in Wellington, so to come out and smash it in 2008 at home and take away the title was a bit of redemption for us. 

Also, seeing our Tauranga U18 girls come away with a silver medal last year at nationals with only 7 fit players and Emma Rogers getting MVP in a second place team – that was definitely a highlight! 

Skills that you bring to the TCBA Executive

I am a licensed Immigration Adviser by profession and own an immigration adviser firm. Prior to this, I was in senior management at a labour-hire company and assisted in establishing systems and processes there. I also hold a degree in Te Reo Māori. 

As a business owner and having been in senior leadership for more than 10 years, I have governance and strong administration experience which are key skills to bring to the Executive team at TCBA. Having also studied Te Reo Māori at university, I have experience in Te Reo me ōna tikanga and an understanding of Te Tiriti and Te Ao Māori to further connect TCBA with the community.   

Background in basketball / connection to TCBA

I grew up as very little person watching my mum play basketball and started playing miniball at 10.  I enjoyed playing basketball through high school and have returned to it again as an adult after a quite a few years in the netball realm.

All my 5 children have played basketball from little with me coaching primary school for about 12 years, and now intermediate for 8 years. I have had a few years coaching various levels in the rep programme. It’s an addiction!

Favourite basketball player

I’m old school... and a big fan of MJ and Larry Bird back in the day.

Most memorable moment in basketball

Mostly coaching memories, many really great kids pushing themselves and winning a few clutch games.

Skills that you bring to the TCBA Board

I have been on committees before and have some experience with governance.  I probably bring good grassroots knowledge of the consumer/community level of TCBA services, competitions, reffing, coaching, rep programme etc.  Basketball continues to be a big part of our family and I’m happy to be involved.