Background in basketball / connection to TCBA

My basketball journey started at around age 3-4, watching my Dad's social team. I played miniball from age 7 or thereabouts, progressing through various High School teams, to playing Club Basketball in Dunedin throughout Uni. I then joined the Navy, and managed to represent the Navy at interservices tournaments against Army and Air Force, and play against other International Navy teams whilst visiting various overseas sports. I've been an active player for the Bombers team in Monday night social leagues for the last 8 years since moving to Tauranga.

A couple of years back, I felt the need to give back to the sport that I've loved pretty much my whole life - so joined the TCBA executive committee. We have a great basketball community in Tauranga and I would love to see that continue to develop so that one day, locals will have the opportunity to see the game played here at the highest level. 

Favorite Basketball Player

Growing up through the '90s, it was always Michael Jordan (by the way, how good is 'The Last Dance' on Netflix right now? Must watch viewing for any 'baller of the Jordan-era).

I also watched a lot of NZ NBL, and being from Dunedin originally, grew up a Nuggets fan from the era of Glen Denham (former Tall Blacks captain).

Most memorable moment in basketball

At Uni, I once had two free-throws in the last 10 seconds of a game in which we were one point down; I hit the first to tie the scores, but then missed the second - which would have given us the lead.  Rather than hang my head and sulk, I managed to steal the ball from the opposition rebounder; pass it to a team mate, who promptly drained a corner three-pointer to win the game! Despondency to elation in about 1.5 seconds! That's what I love about the game.

Skills that you bring to the TCBA Executive.

Outside of basketball, I'm a Human Resources and Employment Relations Consultant; and work with a wide range of clients across the wider Bay of Plenty. 

Proud descendant of Tainui, Ngapuhi and Ngati Raukawa. My passion for Basketball started with St Michaels Primary School 2010 and skills developed through Tauranga Representative as manager and volunteer work. I volunteer as Papamoa College Basketball coach for several years, while developing and implementing programmes for growth and sustainability for coaches and players. I have over 20yrs experience in mixed media from television, web, radio and print, local, regional and national level.

Campbell is actively still involved in Basketball and gives back to our community by still being involved in Refereeing. He is the technical commissioner for Basketball Pacific senior tournaments and is involved with the Mel Young Memorial Classic in Tauranga over Easter. 

His basketball experience is extensive back up with qualifications in basketball and also other general coaching as well as referee specific qualifications. Campbell hold a masters in human movement science, a level 3 basketball coaching and level 2 NZ coaching qualifications. 

Furthermore as a referee he holds a level 1 referee coach. Campbell has been a referee coach for the Queensland basketball league, a referee coach at the country cup (Koru Tour) for both NZ and Queensland. He was also the TC at several state championships in Australia, before moving to Australia, Campbell was also the TC at several regional and national tournaments for BBNZ including national secondary schools. 

Campbell spent several years refereeing the NBL, WNBL, and in Australia refereed the Queensland Basketball league both men’s and women’s. He was the first referee to be given a final in Australia to referee and refereed at the junior olympics in Sydney. 

His referee journey started when he was 15 and is passionate about bringing player, coaches and referees together to make basketball better. If you see Campbell walking around, even in the street he is always happy to answer questions, give some direction to young referees.

 When he still jumps on the court to blow the whistle, you can expect to get the same level of commitment to apply the rules fairly, it won’t matter if it is an under 14 girls, a senior men’s social or a higher level game. Campbell expects the same from all referees he is coaching. 

Michael is qualified chartered accountant and was appointed onto the executive committee at the 2019 AGM. Michael brings with him a wealth of accounting and financial knowledge.  Michael’s role at TCBA is treasurer where he will oversee the financial administration of the organisation, review procedures and financial reporting, advise the committee on financial strategy.

Michael plays in the social league and has a deadly mid-range shot when he can get them going.