Basketball Otago’s biggest challenge is growth and finding somewhere for everyone to play.
Ten years ago, the No 1 issue was money — it did not have any.
The association narrowly avoided liquidation in 2014 thanks to the equivalent of a buzzer-beater.
It had ceased trading and had a debt of just under $179,000.
The basketball community rallied and a deal was struck to save the association. And a decade on, the formerly cash-strapped organisation is thriving.
The courts are bulging.
The coffers are full.
And perhaps for the first time in its history, Basketball Otago is able to plan for a rainy day.
BBO general manager Peter Drew is operating in a vastly different environment from some of his predecessors.
He took over the reins in 2019 and by then the organisation had long cut ties with the professional arm of the game.
The Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho operate independently from the region’s governing body.
That move allowed the association to concentrate on the game’s grassroots, and the sport had experienced tremendous growth, Drew said.
"Last year, we got a huge increase in our primary school numbers. There was a 20% increase.
"From a popularity point of view, the sport is just going from strength to strength.
"Basketball in Dunedin and Otago is flying at the moment."
There are 350 school teams in Dunedin. That is about 3000 children.
Playing numbers for senior women have remained static and there is slow growth in the senior men’s competitions.
Drew anticipates growth in the senior grades once the huge increase in the junior ranks starts filtering through to the senior level.
All up, there are about 6500 registered basketball players across Otago from school age to senior players. Drew estimated that was up "in the last seven or eight years by 50%".
There have definitely been some growing pains.
It has been a challenge to find somewhere for everyone to play in Dunedin.
The Edgar Centre has shuffled, juggled and stretched its capacity to accommodate the teams. But in the desire to provide a place for everyone, some juniors are not getting off the court until 7.30pm on a school night, which is far from ideal.
The centre has converted two additional courts to host basketball and netball. That has helped relieve some pressure.
"This time last year, we were very close to having to tell about 250 primary school kids that they wouldn’t be able to play basketball because we literally did not have enough courts for them," Drew said.
"We were able to work through that problem with the Edgar Centre.
"They were great about that and moved some things around and we managed to squeeze it in. The timings are not ideal, though."
Drew puts the growth down to basketball being a global sport. The NBA has become more popular, and the recent success of the Otago Nuggets and the investment in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa have helped lift the profile of the sport.
"That has a big affect on the youngsters. But also just the nature of the game appeals. It is a fast, exciting game with constant scoring and constant action.
"These days, that is what society likes and especially the kids. So basketball from that point of view is very attractive for the kids.
"Also there are things like it is an indoor sport, so from the parents’ point of view, that is a positive."
Basketball Otago’s financial health is in good shape as well.
"We are still finalising the audited accounts ... but we have good reserves in the bank of $200,000 and that has enabled us, for the first time ever, to implement a reserves policy."
BBO is still a small organisation. It has four fulltime staff and one part-time employee. But Drew said it may have to increase its staffing levels to keep pace with the extra workload.
"The numbers have exploded and we are kind of in catch-up mode to bring the supporting infrastructure up to speed to be able to deliver. And that is a challenge that is going on across the country."
BBO supports about 20 representative teams. Later this year, Dunedin will host the Tupu men’s league, which is a tier down from the National Basketball League.
"We could win a national title in front of a home crowd, which would be nice."
Basketball Otago
The numbers
- 6500 registered players across the region
- 350 school teams in Dunedin
- Primary school playing numbers up 20% on last year
- Reserve of $200,000 in the bank
- Four fulltime staff and one part-time worker
- About 20 representative teams
