Basketball Hawkes Bay announces growth, change and challenges.

Basketball Ball Hawkes Bay has announced a small surplus for 2018 along with increased investment in the development and delivery of the game at the recent Annual General Meeting. Hawkes Bay currently has 4000 registered members playing in competitions across 3 venues 5 nights a week with a further 3000 involved in community programmes.

Board Chair Simon Montgomery highlighted continued strong growth in the game. “We continue to grow at around 10% per year and are currently achieving remarkable results in maintaining service standards within budget. A key challenge going forward will be for new and more diversified investment in the game to keep up with growth.”

General Manger Chris McIvor addressed the meeting with key challenges and focus areas for the game going forward as this growth continues.  “We currently face significant challenges in providing enough coaches and facilities and a focus needs to be put on growing the female game to meet the growth of male participation”.

The meeting also witnessed the introduction of new board members in line with recent constitution changes. Local business man Terry Simkin and former Tall Fern Diane Robertson have been appointed back to the board along with new members Napier City Councillor Keith Price and accountant Gareth Newland.

Also elected to the Board unopposed were local basketball coach and administrator Shane Brown, Governance advisor Cheree Ball and local business women and referee Nikki Livingston.

Chairperson of the past 3 years Simon Montgomerie has decided to stand down along with Board member Dustin Sadler, both to concentrate on other commitments.

McIvor paid tribute to the outgoing Chair Montgomerie. “Simon has led the organisation through some tough periods and is to be congratulated on leaving the organisation in a strong position for the future. His tireless work ethic behind the scenes is something we are truly grateful for and I personally want to thank him for transitioning me into the General Managers role.”

Basketball Hawke’s Bay vital statistics for 2018:

• 9,250 player coaching sessions delivered to 16 schools and 1,850 students
• 290 hours invested in developing 29 new Kiwi Hoops coaches
• 69 active referees supported with 1,000 hours of development and training
• Four school holiday (4-5 day) camps involving 228 children and 16 coaches
• 1069 teams entered in competitions played 4-5 days per week across 3-5 venues
• 3,730 registered members
• 11 Hawke’s Bay representative teams competing at Regional and National tournaments
• 5 NZ age group squad members
• 2 NZ age group coaches
• 18 players invited to development camps or NZ age group trials in 2018