Entries surge as HoopNation moves to the Bay

Entries surge as HoopNation moves to the Bay

MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday 22 November 2016.

The relocation of the HoopNation basketball competition to the Bay of Plenty has been the game changer for the event, with a 42 per cent increase in entries this year.

In 2009, HoopNation founders KJ Allen and Paul Berridge set an ambitious goal of establishing a basketball event that would become entrenched on the nation’s sporting psyche. The competition was launched in Whanganui in 2011 with just 15 teams. After six determined years, a massive 51 teams took part in the 2016 event, with the pair getting tantalising close to achieving their dream.

Key to this growth was the decision to move the competition to Tauranga in 2016, which has world class facilities at ASB Baypark that were able to accommodate the evolution of the event. “Other cities have been pitching to secure HoopNation since our inaugural event, and we’ve had many conversations along the way with some great people and wonderful facilities. However, we’ve always been looking for a city that has an edge - and Tauranga has that in droves,” says Berridge.

The success and ongoing growth of HoopNation is due to it being considered a strongly player and fan-focused event-product, rather than just a tournament, which is key to its sustainability. “Nationally amongst the basketball community from grassroots to Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ), everyone recognises HoopNation as the county’s premier basketball event and holds the brand in great esteem. We’re instantly recognised and trusted. However, Paul and I are aim for this recognition outside of the basketball community to include New Zealand sports fans from all codes, and we are chipping away at this,” says Allen.

“At first we didn’t know what Tauranga’s edge was, but quickly recognised it in the people here. The support and vision of Tauranga City Council and their events team, led by Pip Loader, and advice from Annie Hill at Priority One has confirmed for us that this decision was the right one,” says Allen.

“From our very first contact and early meeting with the Mayor, CEO Garry Poole and their team, working with these professionals and building relationships has been great and authentic collaboration always creates something greater, and we’re doing that here,” says Berridge.

Allen says the council’s strategy to secure major events with resourcing and impact funding that was driven by Garry Poole is the type of leadership that Tauranga City Council is being

recognised for nationally. “The process that the events team led us through was extremely robust and for Paul and I that was a clear indicator that they would only add value to what we aimed to achieve with HoopNation.”

The economic impact of the event is significant, with 546 athletes and their coaches, managers, support crews and families descending on the city over Labour Weekend, as well as the officials and volunteers that made the event such a success. Most importantly, all but two of the 51 teams that took part came from outside Tauranga and many stayed four or five nights in the lead up to the competition. “We have planned the event to be held at the tail end of the winter season to boost the local economy as much as we can,” says Allen. “We’re also keen to look for opportunities to collaborate with local business wherever we can.”

The event has been livestreamed since 2013 and work has been undertaken to build the viewership reach. “We had 1447 unique views with 83 per cent from New Zealand, 7 per cent from the USA, 7 per cent from Australia, with a number of other countries including Hong Kong, Germany, Japan and the UK tuning in,” says Berridge.

BBNZ CEO Iain Potter says “Feedback from the Junior Tall Blacks and Junior Tall Ferns athletes and coaching staff is always positive. The competition is always tough and a perfect platform prior to Oceania qualifying. The vibe in basketball-friendly Tauranga is welcoming and the teams really enjoyed being there. HoopNation can only continue to grow in stature as a premier basketball event.”

“Paul and I know that Tauranga City is the perfect host for the next goal we’ve been focusing on in this journey, as we grow HoopNation to be the biggest basketball event brand across Asia Pacific” says Allen. “Tauranga can only win.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media