Objectives & Vision

Our Objectives

To foster, assist & promote basketball by providing development opportunities throughout Canterbury and the wider South Island region.

Utilise basketball as a medium for social outcomes including growth of well rounded, holistic, community service focused individuals who contribute to society in a positive manner.
Increase participation & involvement of young people from higher deprivation areas by creating opportunities & removing barriers.
Support development for junior players & coaches by providing resources to help participants be successful on and off court.
Identify & create pathways to unleash potential in young people & coaches in areas of leadership, education & careers.

The trust works in partnerships throughout Canterbury & the wider South Island region.
The trust employs highly capable staff including Mike Fitchett to lead the top of the South Island (Tasman) region.
The trust has access to the Canterbury Rams (National Basketball League) players to support the delivery of the in-schools coaching & mentoring programmes. The Rams enjoy a high profile & strong community support throughout Canterbury and as such can achieve maximum ’buy-in’ from schools, students & community groups.
The Rams is the only organisation in the region with the operational capacity to support the delivery of these programmes on a large scale.
The trust has a large amount of voluntary contribution assisting to maximise the resources available.

Trust is governed by a board with a range of expertise including business acumen, financial knowledge, basketball strategic planning and governance.
The trust is focussed on robust accountability processes which will be included with applications.
A priority of the trust is to build relationships with key stakeholders throughout Canterbury & the South Island basketball community to ensure programmes are complimentary between organisations.
The trusts activities are supported by Basketball New Zealand.

Second largest sport by participation in country (44.9% increase in players over last decade – School Sport NZ 2019).
Wide reach across gender, ethnic and socio economic groups.
Informal participation allows for easy & inclusive access.
Participation offers mental and physical health benefits through activity, fun and connection.
Local role models can be used to promote positive social outcomes.
Basketball offers unique life, education and vocational experiences including US College scholarships.