Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation Staff Updates

The Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation would like to announce some staff changes that will take affect leading into 2020.

Ben Sheat who has been working with the CRBF as the Mainland Eagles Academy Development Manager will be taking on a new physical education teaching role at Christ College in 2020.  As well as leading the Mainland Eagles Academy, Ben has also contributed significantly to the Canterbury Rep Programme and Canterbury Rams over the past several years. 

The CRBF thanks Ben for all of his efforts and his significant contribution to the basketball community and we wish him all the very best in his new role.  Ben will continue his role as Mainland Eagles Development Manager until the end of the year.  Mick and Mel Downer will take on the role of leading the Mainland Eagles Academy moving into 2020.

 “We would like to thank Ben for all of the work he has done with the Mainland Eagles Academy, Canterbury Rep Programme and the Rams.  He has done a tremendous job of developing processes and working with the elite young players in our region.  We look forward to continuing having him involved with basketball development in the region”, stated CRBF General Manager Caleb Harrison.

Welcome Nakita Rue to the Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation!

To assist with the operational delivery of the CRBF Performance Programmes, which includes the Mainland Eagles Academy, Canterbury Basketball Rep Academy and Rams; Nakita will take on the role of Performance Programmes Administrator. Nakita will provide administrative support across all of the CRBF Performance Programmes, as well as event management.  Nakita is coming to the CRBF from the Brisbane Bullets where she has most recently been the Community Development Coordinator and the Membership and Ticketing Assistant with the Brisbane Lions. 

About the Mainland Eagles Academy

The Mainland Eagles Academy was established in 2014 by the Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation to support male and female high school players & coaches throughout the South Island in their development through regular training’s & education.  The Academy will expose players & coaches to an environment that will promote holistic education.  Players & Coaches will be supported with pathways guidance including tertiary opportunities here in New Zealand and in the United States as well as professional opportunities overseas.

About the Canterbury Basketball Rep Academy

The Canterbury Basketball Rep Academy encapsulates the various facets of the junior development and representative programme, which includes players from both Canterbury Basketball Association (Canterbury Metro) & North Canterbury Basketball Association (NCBA). The Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation (CRBF) delivers the Canterbury Basketball Rep Academy on behalf of, and in conjunction with Canterbury Metro and NCBA to ensure that teams at National and Regional tournaments are the best prepared and coached to proudly represent a “Canterbury Combined” team at Nationals, known as Waitaha.

About the Canterbury Rams

The Canterbury Rams were revived in 2014 by a group of basketball enthusiasts after last competing in the National Basketball League in 2008.  The Rams were re-established to contribute significantly to the growth of basketball throughout the region including the Rams In-Schools & Rams Mentoring programmes.  And for junior talent & coaches in the region to directly benefit from coaching & support including pathway support, guidance and placement.