Mike Ryan, General Manager
Coming directly to Basketball Manawatū from 20 years employment with Special Olympics New Zealand, where he was an integral member of the Senior Management Team; Mike has brought a wealth of knowledge in the Event Management and working within the sports sector, especially around working with passionate volunteers. This is Mike’s fifth year with the Basketball Manawatū programme in the top leadership role.
When he is not doing basketball things, you will find Mike watching or supporting his children and/or grandchildren playing sport; or just hanging out & doing stuff with them.
And don’t get Mike, started by asking him about his other passion – BOCCE.
Mike understands the life skills we learn from being involved in sport (playing, coaching or officiating), which is why he is so passionate about sport; and sport for all.
According to Mike “Sport is a tool that can change people’s lives”, so we need to embrace it and get off the couch and let’s play, especially if we can keep kids on our Courts – and out of other Courts!
Mike’s contact details: – 027 215-2210 and you can email him anytime at gm@manawatu.basketball
Tess Petley, Competitions and Events Coordinator
Born and raised just an hour up the road in Whanganui, Tess has been involved in basketball in some capacity as a player, manager, coach, administrator and committee member for the past 35 years.
Raising three basketball mad boys has kept her involved in the game and afforded her the opportunity to support them all alongside her partner, Terry, on their basketball journey, whilst forging her own.
Tess loves basketball, but her passion is young people so being on the floor coordinating competitions and events is a role she enjoys daily! She is a keen supporter of tamariki and rangatahi in our community and aims to provide opportunities for them to grow and improve.
Her experience and background is in Youth Work and Development, Teaching, Business and Management.
You will find her at the CET office just inside Arena 4, hours are varied due to the timings of our events and competitions.
Tess’s contact details: – 027 2299622 and you can email her anytime at competitionsandevents@manawatu.basketball
Tania Hunter, Development Officer, Female Lead
Tania became involved in basketball at high school. The teacher was Australian, and she introduced Tania to the game. The school was pro-rugby and netball and when Tania left school it was very much pro-basketball. That exposure led her to play. Referee and coach, the game.
At high school as a senior member of the premier team they had to coach a junior team and learn how to referee. Tania also became a Coach Developer and enjoy assisting other coaches. In this game sometimes you must wear many hats and have managed teams as well she has sat the FIBA international score bench qualification.
Tania has been involved in the game over several years. It has evolved as time has gone past. Rules changes has allowed the game to become a spectator game from Olympics to the grass roots game. Athletes are stronger, quicker and have a high skill level. They are also masters of the game. Young athletes inspire to become elite athlete, or just love the social aspect the game brings.
Tania says the game has allowed her to travel, meet new people and work with diverse athletes. She has played at a World Masters tournament, attended a world championship tournament and assisted at a year 3 & 4 competition. These events different but the same! People loving the game – basketball!
She has also had the opportunity to coach, her daughter over the years accumulating to watching her and the Tall Ferns win a bronze medal at the Commonwealth games.
Tania’s contact details: – 027 2937730 and you can email her anytime at development@manawatu.basketball
