Latest news with #NelsonGiants
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Nelson City Council revises catering contract to save Giants basketball team
Nelson_Giants_head_coach_and_general_manager_Mike_Fitchett_left_Nelson_Mayor_Nick_Smith_and_CLM_Trafalgar_Centre_manager_Mark_Mekalick Photo: Samantha Gee/RNZ Nelson Giants basketball club is no longer facing closure, after the local council amended its contract for their Trafalgar Centre venue, enabling the team to sell food and drinks at home games for another two years. Giants management earlier urged the Nelson City Council to re-consider its new contract with Community Leisure Management (CLM) that gave the company exclusive rights to food and beverage sales at the centre. At a council meeting earlier this month, head coach and general manager Mike Fitchett said the decision would "likely kill the Giants", because money raised through selling food and drinks at games accounted for about 15 percent of their revenue. More than 1200 people signed [ a petition calling on the council to rethink its position ] . Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the council should have engaged with the venue's users before negotiating the contract and promised to do better next time. Nelson City Council had a contract with CLM for several hundred thousand dollars a year to manage the Trafalgar Centre. Smith said CLM had "dropped the price significantly" in exchange for the exclusive hospitality rights. "We didn't appreciate in coming to the agreement of the exclusive food and beverage with CLM, a common arrangement in premier venues around the country, that it would have such a negative impact," he said. "We should, at the time, have engaged with our regular users and there's some lessons for us to learn from that." He said the prospect of the Giants not being part of Nelson was "untenable", the region had huge pride in the team that had a long history in the NZ Basketball League and many players had gone on to become Tall Blacks. Smith said the council had negotiated a variation to the contract with CLM until June 2027, the remainder of its term. There was a cost to ratepayers, which he would not disclose for commercial reasons. The centre cost $2.5 million to run each year and generated about $500,000 per year in income. Smith said the council had hoped to reduce the cost on ratepayers. Smith said the variation would also apply to two other groups that used the centre - Dancing for a Cause and Te Tauihu o te Waka a Maui Māori Cultural Council kapa haka. "The savings that were achieved last year were significant and we've had to return a portion of those savings back to CLM to be able to get this exemption for these three organisations," he said. Nelson Giants head coach Mike Fitchett calls the shots against Tauranga Whai. Photo: Chris Symes/ Smith said some community organisations would be disappointed that they were not included in the exclusion, so the council needed to think strategically about the venue's management from June 2027. "We need a partner like CLM that's able to promote it as a national venue and maintain it as a premier facility, but I think we've got a bit of a challenge to provide a hybrid model that will also work for our community-based organisations," he said. Fitchett said the club was overwhelmed with support, after it went public about the issue, with fans from Nelson and around the country getting in touch. "For [the council] to find a solution for us, it's a massive relief," he said. "To secure our future at the Trafalgar Centre for the next few years is huge." CLM Trafalgar Centre manager Mark Mekalick said the organisation was glad to come to an agreement that worked for everyone. The company had managed the Trafalgar Centre for the last seven-and-a-half years and put forward a contract proposal based on delivering the best value. When Giants management spoke publicly about how contract would affect the team, Mekalick said the company valued the partnership and wanted to work together to find a resolution. "Community is at our heart and the Giants are a big part of this community, so it wasn't a hard decision to make," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup A pair of Wisconsin basketball commits are set to represent New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer. Class of 2026 shooting guard Jackson Ball and class of 2025 signee Hayden Jones will suit up for New Zealand's 12-man roster from June 28 to July 6 for an opportunity to clinch a gold medal for their country. Jones, who committed to Wisconsin's program on July 25, 2024, suited up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. There, he averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to debut for the senior national team. Jones and company fell to the United States, which rostered players such as Cameron Boozer and A.J. Dybantsa. The 6-foot-7 guard has also suited up for the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand National Basketball League for the past two seasons, plus previously registered 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for New Zealand during its runner-up finish at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. Ball, who announced his pledge to Greg Gard's program on March 3, also laced up for New Zealand in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. At 6 feet, 4 inches, the 2026 prospect has showcased his offensive prowess for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in the NBL this spring, averaging over 22 points off 54.7% shooting from the field in 13 games through May 19. Jones and Ball join notable college signees on New Zealand's 2025 squad, such as Oscar Goodman (Michigan), Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown) and Tama Isaac (UC Irvine), an indication of how significant international basketball recruiting has become in the sport's landscape. The experience for both Ball and Jones is certainly encouraging for Badger fans. The development and professional exposure should prepare the duo even more for what they will encounter in the United States, regardless of where New Zealand places in the circuit. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Indian Panthers players reportedly return to India as termination deadline nears
Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom The South Asian players who were recruited in the Indian Panthers squad have returned to India, RNZ understands. A source inside the squad told RNZ that all three Indian players who had been playing in the National Basketball League for the franchise landed in India on Sunday. Meanwhile, a former staff member of the franchise said the trio had flown out of Auckland earlier Sunday. RNZ has approached the Indian Panthers and the National Basketball League for comment. On 9 May, the franchise was given 10 days to meet specific conditions to avoid being ejected from the league . The league gave the Panthers until 19 May to prove their financial sustainability, among other things, to allow them to stay in the league. The team was suspended on 1 May after the league received allegations of contractual breaches, including unpaid salaries and internal unrest. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom Tensions flared on 29 April when Panthers players refused to take the court against the Canterbury Rams in protest over delayed payments, resulting in the match being postponed. The situation escalated further after former Panthers player Alex Robinson Jr. posted a pointed message on Instagram, alleging he had not been paid. Robinson has since left the team and signed with the Nelson Giants. The turmoil was the latest in a series of setbacks the team has faced in their debut season. The team played without any of the 10 Indian players originally named in the squad in their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks on 12 March due to international commitments. The Panthers faced another setback in March when head coach Miles Pearce resigned just two days ahead of their first home game. After nine matches without a league win, the team relocated its South Auckland base in April from Bruce Pulman Arena in Takanini to the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe.
Otago Daily Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Giants end losing streak with win over Otago Nuggets
The Nelson Giants have put up an almighty battle to notch their first game of the NBL season. They beat the Otago Nuggets 98-86 at the Edgar Centre tonight after losing their opening eight games of the season. The visitors led from the opener and while the Nuggets fought back, they were unable to break through the lead. Big Jeremy Combs led the way with a double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Jose Perez finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, while Jonathan Janssen added 16 points. The Giants found Combs in the paint easily, who scored all of their opening 12 points. Hayden Jones tripled for the Giants and experienced veteran Sam Dempster added another to extend 21-16. Jaylen Sebree got down low to stop an easy road to the post. He came up with a block soon after and fired the ball to Mac Stodart to finish off. Dempster drilled another triple to give the Giants a 28-22 lead at the break. The Nuggets struggled to box out, giving the Giants several chances with the ball. The home side eventually stopped the play, thanks again to Sebree's efforts on defence, but were unable to finish. But it was the Giants who had the better of the quarter and started to split their points. Alex Robinson banked a deep two, and sent a great ball in to Lachlan Crate who finished with a dunk to extend the visitors' lead to 10 points. Don Carey Jr drove hard into the paint to hit back, Darcy Knox added another and Janssen spotted the mismatch to deliver. Perez was called for a technical foul late in the second quarter and the Giants held a 51-39 lead at halftime. Stodart opened the second half with a three from the top of the arc, off the back of better hustle from the Nuggets. The Giants put the pressure on around the arc, forcing the Nuggets to swing the ball and battle to find the openings. Combs added to the visitors' tally from the stripe but Stodart hit back with another big three. Carey Jr added another triple and Perez finished off a reverse lay-up to close the gap to six. The Nuggets tightened up defensively and Perez reduced the deficit to four in what was a much better quarter from the home side. But the Giants fought back and returned their lead to 74-64 at the end of the third quarter. They came out of the break the better as well, quickly shifting to a commanding 83-65 lead. Sebree found Janssen under the hoop to close the gap to nine, but Liam Judd banked a triple to restore a 92-78 buffer. Perez added consecutive triples and Sebree added another, but it was not enough in the end. The Giants had a 38-35 win in the Rapid League game. NBL The scores Nelson Giants 98 Jeremy Combs 25, Callum McRae 18 Otago Nuggets 86 Jose Perez 32, Jonathan Janssen 16 Quarter scores: Nelson Giants 28-22, 51-39, 74-64.
Otago Daily Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Giants break losing streak with commanding win over Nuggets
The Nelson Giants have put up an almighty battle to notch their first game of the NBL season. They beat the Otago Nuggets 98-86 at the Edgar Centre tonight after losing their opening eight games of the season. The visitors led from the opener and while the Nuggets fought back, they were unable to break through the lead. Big Jeremy Combs led the way with a double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Jose Perez finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, while Jonathan Janssen added 16 points. The Giants found Combs in the paint easily, who scored all of their opening 12 points. Hayden Jones tripled for the Giants and experienced veteran Sam Dempster added another to extend 21-16. Jaylen Sebree got down low to stop an easy road to the post. He came up with a block soon after and fired the ball to Mac Stodart to finish off. Dempster drilled another triple to give the Giants a 28-22 lead at the break. The Nuggets struggled to box out, giving the Giants several chances with the ball. The home side eventually stopped the play, thanks again to Sebree's efforts on defence, but were unable to finish. But it was the Giants who had the better of the quarter and started to split their points. Alex Robinson banked a deep two, and sent a great ball in to Lachlan Crate who finished with a dunk to extend the visitors' lead to 10 points. Don Carey Jr drove hard into the paint to hit back, Darcy Knox added another and Janssen spotted the mismatch to deliver. Perez was called for a technical foul late in the second quarter and the Giants held a 51-39 lead at halftime. Stodart opened the second half with a three from the top of the arc, off the back of better hustle from the Nuggets. The Giants put the pressure on around the arc, forcing the Nuggets to swing the ball and battle to find the openings. Combs added to the visitors' tally from the stripe but Stodart hit back with another big three. Carey Jr added another triple and Perez finished off a reverse lay-up to close the gap to six. The Nuggets tightened up defensively and Perez reduced the deficit to four in what was a much better quarter from the home side. But the Giants fought back and returned their lead to 74-64 at the end of the third quarter. They came out of the break the better as well, quickly shifting to a commanding 83-65 lead. Sebree found Janssen under the hoop to close the gap to nine, but Liam Judd banked a triple to restore a 92-78 buffer. Perez added consecutive triples and Sebree added another, but it was not enough in the end. The Giants had a 38-35 win in the Rapid League game. NBL The scores Nelson Giants 98 Jeremy Combs 25, Callum McRae 18 Otago Nuggets 86 Jose Perez 32, Jonathan Janssen 16 Quarter scores: Nelson Giants 28-22, 51-39, 74-64.
