The annual Fulton Hogan Basketball League hosted by the Inclusive Sport Trust, concluded its 18th season at Saxton Stadium earlier this month.
Close to 90 players of all ages and abilities competed across three divisions this year, including a team who were this time hitting the beat of a different sort, on the squeaky floors.
Inclusive Sport Trust chairperson Helen Bywater says introducing a Police team for the full season, which was made up of seven crime prevention staff based at Nelson, Stoke, and Richmond, and a few of their children, provided a jaunty response.
“They play very kindly in the spirit of the game and it’s very cool for kids to see police officers out of uniform,” she says. “I’m sure it’s equally inspiring to the police, just to see the spirit, the competitiveness, the fun and the good teamwork that goes on here.”
Richmond School community officer Carol Heiford says she and the police staff had “absolutely loved” the season.
“It’s bought us together in a really enjoyable space, and some of the best things is how enjoyable the opposition have been, how friendly and how much fun people have, and it just rubs off on you,” she says. “You can’t help but have a really positive game… we would love to have a team next season.”
Helen says while the overall season was once again a slam dunk, the board will look to get more on the court next season, since player numbers had waned.
“We run a Junior Jammers after-school programme where we try and get children up to intermediate school and hopefully if we get them playing, they can join in for the league next year,” she says.
Fulton Hogan Basketball League division finals results:
Division 1 three-on-three championship winners: Purple Cobras
Division 1 five-on-five championship winners: Tasman Troopers
Division 2 winners: Gladiators
Division 3 winners: Silver Ferns
