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 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.

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.  

1. Background to basketball/connection to TCBA

• Played for Palmerston North for 4 years. 2^nd best team in NBL (equivalent) 1968
• Established Hamilton Flyers team in 1971.Player/Coach 6^th best team at Old Crow National Champs held in Christchurch 1974
• Administered Palmerston North BB Association all leagues operated out of YMCA stadium (capacity for 1000 spectators)
• Administered Hamilton Basketball Association all leagues operated out of YMCA 2 court stadium
• Governance President of Wellington Basketball Association 2006-10
• Coached Onslow College 1988-89, Wellington U18 and U 20 boys teams1989 -1991.
• Connection to TCBA moved from Wellington to Mt Maunganui in 2017. My wife hooked up with Jill Hill and the Walking BB group (SWISH) Jill invited me to join this amazing group and I have participated as a Skills Coach/referee.

1. My favourite player – Mika Vukona Breakers. Inspirational leader on and off the court and tough as nails player. Breakers won 4 ANBL titles when he was at his best
2. Most memorable moment in Basketball – 1891 its invention at Springfield YMCA Training School Massachusetts by James Naismith. 1908 first played in NZ (Wellington YMCA)
3. Skills that you bring to the TCBA Executive – involvement with the game at all levels in a multitude of roles (see above) Governance experience within Basketball and in the not-for-profit sector (Social Services)