Basketball booms on Coast

Dan Bungard has a vision for Hibiscus Coast Basketball. He has been the director for 17 years but before that he was a keen player. 

He grew up on the Coast and his dream is to see the sport have a permanent home here.

Basketball’s popularity has grown dramatically over the past decade he says, driven in part by a culture shift. It’s also the fastest growing sport in New Zealand.

“There is a culture around the sport that is really exciting, and a big part was the Breakers success then Steven Adams breaking into the NBA. But basketball is such an adaptive sport, you can play a number of combinations, so you’re not put into a box,” he says.

But its success means there is a shortage of at least 500 courts countrywide, and now with 800 players across Coast Basketballs’ five clubs, they are reaching a tipping point where they need a dedicated facility.

“Just how we do that and what form it takes is something we are trying to figure out, but we will definitely make it happen, he says.”

However, Dan’s vision is to grow Coast basketball to 1200 members, especially at the grassroots level. He has a strong belief in using the sport to develop the Coast’s youth and working with the community to pass along experiences and knowledge. Already they have had one player, Liam Judd, reach the NBL.

“When he comes back to the Coast, the kids just love to hear from him.”

But it’s not just about aiming for the top leagues, Dan says. The organisation has leagues for all ages and recently launched an adaptive programme. Dan is also keen to encourage more women and girls into the sport.

For information on term two programmes visit www.hibiscuscoast.basketball