"This is a massive group of young people who always fill us with pride, who always inspire us," he said, going on to cite the example of one young man in the squad — who at three stages in his life was a resident at three of the country's youth justice facilities as well as being known as one of New Zealand's worst youth offenders — as an example of the opportunities the pair's organisation offered to the local community.
"He, like any other young person, was at risk of failing life but for the efforts of Del, MNUS, the love of an aunty and uncle, the support of his mentor, Hone Park, his wife, Victoria Mahuru, NISS, Liz Marsden, Peter Thomas and, of course, our kids.
"He now gets to travel the world, he gets to compete, and he gets to see and do things he would never have dreamt he'd be doing."
Mel said he and Del strongly believed that all people were at risk of failure at certain stages in their lives, even when their situation was good in the home.
Therefore it was important to give them a place where they could grow and develop — not just in sport but in life, eliminate fear, create a competitive spirit in sport, education and life, and develop the desire to always give their ultimate best effort aware that will always be enough.
Two weeks after their return in the new year, the group will be joined by three or four other players and will travel and compete at the national Maori basketball championships in Rotorua.
