Basketball event may quit region

GREENER PASTURES: HoopNation organisers KJ Allen and Paul Berridge want to keep their tournament in Wanganui, but say greener pastures make leaving a real prospect. PHOTO/FILE NUIPRIDE-MALAYSIA

The organisers of Wanganui's moneyed basketball tournament say that unless the district council can come up with more financial assistance then they may have to take their ball and leave home.

HoopNation's KJ Allen and Paul Berridge feel the WDC's contribution for the tournament they have built over the past five years " which is around $15,000 from the Economic Development Impact Fund " "does not reflect their event", which has brought in $1.6 million to the Wanganui economy.

Another issue is that after growing to 35 teams in 2014, HoopNation will not be able to use Jubilee Stadium this year for the overflow of games on a temporary court, beside their regular venue in Springvale Stadium.

Another event, booked two years ago, will be held at Jubilee at the same time this October.

Last year, HoopNation cancelled the planned mixed grade competition to go with their two men's grades and one women's division as they did not have enough courts to play the extras matches over the three-day Labour Weekend.

"Last year, we had close to 400 participants and team supporters," said Berridge.

"The only way with expanding to a fourth division is starting a day early and starting early every day."

Allen and Berridge want their professional tournament to be upgraded in importance for impact funding, similar to the biennial Billy Webb rowing challenge, which received around $40,000 when it started.

They also want long-discussed plans for a large, multi-purpose building in Wanganui to be moved to the forefront. "We've outgrown our facilities. That's not sustainable," said Allen.

"Going forward, we're needing to find more solutions for keeping HoopNation here."

Berridge said they are now having to seriously entertain feelers being put out by other North Island towns.

"It's been people that have participated in our event that have got connections with councillors and event organisers [elsewhere].

"They always paint the picture " 'the grass is greener'."

Berridge said impact funding available in the Waitakere area was $12 million, which is why Duco Events " who have his well known boxer cousin Robert Berridge on their books " always go there for major boxing cards.

"There's serious money outside of Wanganui."

HoopNation are in discussions with the WDC economic development officers and Wanganui Mayor Annette Main said those staff and the Visit Whanganui staff will "establish that hierarchy of events" for who gets the most money.

"There's work being done around events in Wanganui and the distribution of funds."

Sport Wanganui also have reviews in place for Wanganui events and which ones have the most impact, as well as reviews about what buildings they are held in to decide the future of those venues.

"It's done on the reports that are put in at the end of each event.

"My assumption is that HoopNation are part of that.

"HoopNation absolutely need to be having these discussions with Sport Wanganui as well."

Berridge said after Wanganui missed out on a national cycling centre in 2011 because the velodrome was not roofed, he wondered where the WDC's energy to work towards creating a hub-like venue had disappeared.

"In the past, we've had to say no to netball tests here because the lighting wasn't enough [in Springvale]. Having a multi-purpose facility would be great, not only for basketball, but other events in the city."