If you have a governance related query which you want addressed at our monthly meetings, send an email to exec@taurangacitybasketball.nz
For operational queries, please follow the appropriate process or contact our staff directly.
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 is 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 neighboring school for games, felt very bouncy in warm up and hit a reverse dunk then a couple on 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 Executive
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 5th 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 Executive
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.
