Basketball New Zealand unlocks growth ambitions with Courts of the World technology

MIES (Switzerland) - Basketball New Zealand are fuelling their growth ambitions and blazing a trail as the first National Federation to partner with Courts of the World and to embrace the FIBA Official Courts Finder court mapping technology. 

Courts of the World is a basketball court and venue finder that currently contains the locations of more than 60,000 basketball courts globally. Since partnering with the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre in June 2021, the court finder has continued to develop at pace.  

Ryan O'Leary from Courts of the World said: “Many national basketball organizations have promoted our map to help local players find as many options as possible to find courts and play. 

“The integration with Basketball New Zealand is a new type of partnership that looks to maximize our mapping technology to help grow basketball, which is a mutual goal. We are just getting started, and look forward to what it can do for the sport of basketball." 

The FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre's main focus is to set global quality standards, which results in an increase in the quantity and quality of worldwide basketball premises, helping to boost the growth and development of the sport. The FIBA Court Finder makes it easy for global hoopers to find basketball courts across the world and also aims to further enhance connections by providing a vibrant social space online. 

The court finder strives to locate the best possible surfaces - whether it's a hidden neighborhood gem or a well-known city court. There are already thousands of photos and court ratings available, allowing ballers to pick out the best locations for great basketball experiences and to share their love for the game. 

Now, Basketball New Zealand is writing a fresh chapter by breaking new ground and smartly using technology's power and benefits to show what is possible for FIBA's 212 National Federation members.  
 
Courts of the World has integrated its court management system to allow Basketball New Zealand to administer a map of courts in the country. The platform gives players of all levels the ability to find courts near their home or as they travel. With its Courts of the World administrator status applied, the Federation has even been able to highlight specific courts that are being used for its various campaigns and initiatives. Additionally, it provides an easy way for people in New Zealand to get involved in the sport by also promoting ways of finding a local association to play, coach, or volunteer. 

 
Basketball NZ Chief Executive Dillon Boucher believes that this exciting partnership with Courts of the World will help unlock more basketball participation. 

He confirmed: "Basketball is New Zealand's fastest growing sport, particularly in the 10-18 age range where it has exploded in popularity at school level over the past 10 years. It's an exciting trajectory and with this comes a need for better visibility on where people can play basketball – indoors and outdoors – across our country. 

"Through our Hoops in Schools and Hoops in Parks initiative, over the past six years, Basketball New Zealand has installed over 200 outdoor hoops for people to play basketball in a fun, safe and socialized setting, helping them to build an enduring love for the game," continued Boucher.  

"Thanks to this partnership with Courts of the World, it'll be easier than ever for people to connect through basketball in their local communities and we’re excited to be the first basketball federation to unlock this technology for our players." 

FIBA