Basketball academy raises funds for youth programme

TALL TALES: Paul Henare and Paora Winitana at a fundraising event at Hastings McDonald's. PHOTO / PAUL TAYLOR

Basketball and New Zealand Breakers fans came out in droves this week to help fundraise for a series of youth leadership programmes run by the Paul Henare and Paora Winitana Basketball Academy.

As part of fundraising efforts Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare was on hand to talk to a packed McDonald's restaurant in Hastings.

Academy co-founder Paora Winitana said McDonald's staff had told him the event had been the restaurant's busiest Wednesday ever.

"It was just great to see all the families together, all the community there smiling and enjoying their time, obviously being inspired by Paul Henare and the words he said. It was awesome."

All proceeds go directly to youth leadership programmes run by the academy's trust.

"That money will go directly to our programmes. We have several but they are all about youth leadership.

"Our motto is 'preparing future leaders, on and off court'. We are now in our third year of operation and it's all focused on being able to develop the person, more than the player.

"Basically, the priority for our trust is using basketball as a vehicle to strengthen families and strengthen the community."

Last year the academy selected 95 students for both the senior and junior academies - the largest numbers it had ever had. Almost half that number are girls.

The academy runs off six core values: excellence, integrity, passion, leadership, family and honour; principles the students are encouraged to live by.

Mr Henare is a former Napier Boys High School student, was the NZ Breakers' head coach, and is now coach for the national basketball team - the Tall Blacks.

Mr Winitana is a former Tall Blacks player.