A well-loved Lower Hutt basketball court has a fresh new look, with the revitalised Walter Nash Park court in Taitā being celebrated this Saturday.
The celebration is part of BNZ Hoops in Parks, BNZ’s expanded partnership with Basketball New Zealand, to support more free and accessible outdoor places to play, as basketball continues to grow across Aotearoa.
The launch will include kai, music, giveaways, BNZ Kiwi Hoops sessions for kids, and appearances from Wellington basketballers Hassan Munir (Mills Albert Wellington Saints) and Grace Hunter (Tokomanawa Queens, 2degrees Tall Ferns).
Hunter says that growing up in and around Wellington, she spent a lot of time playing on community courts.
“It’s great to see Walter Nash Park getting a refresh so local kids can make the most of it too.”
The project follows work between Hutt City Council and Basketball New Zealand to improve existing outdoor basketball infrastructure at the site.
Hutt City Council has resurfaced the basketball court and refreshed its line markings, while BNZ Hoops in Parks is supporting the site with a new hoop and a launch activation.
Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive, Belinda Edwards, says outdoor courts play an important role in growing the game and creating strong communities.
“We’re always looking for ways to make basketball more accessible, and our partnership with BNZ Hoops in Parks is helping us bring quality courts and hoops to more communities across Aotearoa,” Edwards says.
“A basketball hoop might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact. In the right location, it becomes a place where tamariki, rangatahi, whanau and friends can come together, stay active and build connections within their community.’
BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says the launch reflects BNZ’s focus on backing practical initiatives that help strengthen communities.
“Basketball has a special ability to bring people together, whether that’s young people shooting hoops after school, families connecting on the sidelines, or volunteers giving their time to coach the next generation,” Huggins says.
“As the game grows, communities need more places to play and more support for the people who make grassroots sport possible.”
“We’re proud to expand our partnership with Basketball New Zealand through practical programmes that help make the game more accessible for communities across Aotearoa.”
The activation brings together Basketball New Zealand, BNZ, Hutt City Council, Common Ground, Nuku Ora, Capital Basketball, Hutt Valley Basketball and other community partners.
The BNZ Hoops in Parks launch event runs from 1:30pm to 4:00pm on Saturday 15 August at the Walter Nash Community Hub on Taine Street in Taitā, Lower Hutt.
For more information on BNZ Hoops In Parks see here: https://nz.basketball/get-involved/hoopsinparks/