Brighton Reserve in Waihī Beach was abuzz with basketball fans of all ages recently, for the second annual Parafed BOP Basketball and Sport whānau fun day.

The event, organised by Parafed BOP, aimed to encourage kids and teenagers of all abilities to give basketball a go, and improve their skills through playing games and joining in group drills.

This year, the event grew into a wonderful collaboration of many organisations.

Chelseah Savage, senior development officer from Tauranga City Basketball Association, attended and teamed up with Byron Vaetoe (ex-Tall Black) from Basketball NZ and Wayne Chase from the NZ Roller Blacks basketball team to run drills and play in some scrimmages with all the attendees.

Fun for all at the event. Photo / Mike Hill

Representatives and players from Special Olympics Tauranga and the NZ Men’s Whaikaha team, including ex-Waihī College student Todd Maitland and mum Tina (who is also Whaikaha assistant coach), made a special trip out to be part of the event earlier this month.

Northern District’s Cricket Association coaches ran games of cricket on the reserve, in between basketball games.

Suzanne Morrison, of Parafed BOP, said, “The day was incredible. We had all these talented sports people of all abilities, playing together and teaching the tamariki tips and tricks on the court.”

The event incorporated activities that enabled everyone to be active at all times. There were 3 x 3 basketball games, basketball drills, cricket on the sidelines and inclusive games run by Parafed.

Through offering many different games, Parafed was able to host kids of all abilities and encourage participation of children with disabilities to be involved in all the activities.

People of all abilities joining in the event. Photo / Mike Hill

The attendees loved the coaching provided by Tauranga City Basketball and Byron, and thought the wheelchair basketballers were incredibly inspiring.

They also enjoyed having a go at playing basketball in a wheelchair, which was challenging.

Maija MacCalman, a Waihī Beach local, said, “What an amazing, energetic and inclusive day. There was so much happening – kids having a go at playing basketball in the wheelchairs, cricket on the sidelines, great scrimmages on the court – and everyone was having a load of fun. Byron and all the basketball representatives were just so kind and inspiring to meet and play with.”