One of New Zealand’s top basketball coaches is throwing his support behind a free, fun day for youngsters at a new court in Te Puna.

Former Kiwi age-group representative Jason Crummer has coached multiple teams to success, including double silver medals at 2018’s national championships with Auckland teams, and at 2022’s U15 Oceania contest and the U16 Asia Cup with New Zealand in 2023.

“Basketball is for everyone,” he said. “I’ve lived and breathed it since I was a kid. The beautiful thing about basketball is that all you need is a ball and a hoop.”

Now, as a senior recreation planner for Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Crummer has teamed up with Tauranga City Basketball Association (TCBA) for an event designed to introduce local kids to the game and to the new court at Te Puna’s Maramatanga Park.

The new playground and basketball court at Te Puna’s Maramatanga Park. Photo / Debbie Griffiths

It was also an opportunity for community engagement on the council’s review of the Kaimai Ward Reserves Management Plan, Crummer said.

“This basketball court is one of the last items on the plan to be implemented. It was built last year and TCBA has been great about supporting us and encouraging us to put more hoops in communities,” he said.

Crummer said the free fun day would be unstructured and casual. “Just turn up on the day. TBCA will have balls, hoops and bibs and will organise the kids into games or activities.

“We’re expecting a big turnout because we know the Te Puna community is really sporty.”

The Basketball Have a Go Day at Maramatanga Park, Te Puna, is on tomorrow, Saturday, April 5, from 10am to noon. Just turn up!