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 ports. After moving to Tauranga, I was a regular player for the Bombers team in Monday night social leagues for around 8 years, and have also played social leagues in Whakatane.

 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 now enjoy contributing to the future of basketball through my governance roles.

Favourite Basketball Player

Growing up through the '90s, it was always Michael Jordan.

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. 

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 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 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.