Manawatu Jets 2018 Ambitions

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 1 May 2017** JETS LOOKING TO FLY AGAIN IN 2018

The Manawatu Jets have lodged their application to Basketball New Zealand to compete in the 2018 New Zealand National Basketball League.

After spending the last two seasons working on a new, sustainable business model and focusing on paying off legacy debt, the board of The Jets feel it’s the right time to apply to re-enter into the league.

“Our small team has been focused on three things over the course of the last two years. Our first commitment was to not walk away from loyal sponsors that were owed money from seasons past. Our second commitment was to continue our over decade long youth programme directed at primary and intermediate schools in the Manawatu which this year will teach basketball fundamentals to over 4,500 kids. And, our third commitment was to make sure we build a sustainable business model so The Jets can once again play in front of our very, very loyal fan base for years to come,” said Richard Hansen, Manawatu Jets Chairman.

If The Jets succeed with their application, the team’s make up will consist of a majority of local talent bolstered by potentially one New Zealand premier player as well as at least one import. “When you go to a game next year, we want you to know the guys, know their story,” says Hansen. “We want to give our local talent the best possible pathway for their future development. If that means they play for us for a year then go off overseas, that’s ok. Hopefully, when it comes time to return to New Zealand and the NBL, they will come home.”

The application for re-entry was delivered Friday, 28 April, to Basketball New Zealand. From there, the BBNZ board will review and make their decision by the end of June.

“We’re hopeful BBNZ understands the importance of having the NBL back in Palmerston North and we’ve done everything possible to make sure the business model shows sustainability with a very, very strong stance towards community,” says Dave Craig, Manawatu Jets board member. “24 months ago, we sat down collectively and agreed that our business value was ‘community.’ Every decision that we’ve made in the past 2 years has had community attached to it. We’re only interested making decisions that are right for the community and our kids.”

The Jets have assembled a strong mentor pool to help with the rebuild process. “We’ve had some major hurdles to get over the last few years financially. It’s been really tough but it’s good to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel,” says Darryl June, Manawatu Jets board member. “With the support of Justin Leck (McDonalds Manawatu), Paul Humphries (Humphries Construction), Gordon Powley (Courtesy Ford) Grant Smith (Palmerston North Mayor) and Tim Mordaunt (Property Brokers), we’ve always known we’ve had the buy in from our community. We’d especially like to

thank Tim Mordaunt and Grant Smith for their expertise and overall help. Their belief in us is what really got helped us through some of the toughest times.”

If you’d like to help in any way, please visit The Jets website - www.thejets.co.nz to lodge your support.

The Jets will keep their fans and local community up-to-speed with the application process through their Facebook page.

Manawatu Jets Board Richard Hansen, Chairman Darryl June Dave Craig Kent Mori

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