Hoops in Parks

Just under a year ago, we were proud to work alongside Whanganui Basketball Association to install two new hoops at Castlecliff Domain as part of Basketball New Zealand’s Hoops in Parks initiative. 

Community kaitiaki embraced the new hoops and since their installation there has been a massive increase in rangatahi using the court to play basketball and be active.

Following on from the installation of the hoops in 2022, Basketball NZ offered to pay for new lines to be painted on the court and after some discussion, a partnership was born between the community and Fleetline to paint the entire court and bring the space to life like never before. 

The Castlecliff court is now arguably one of Aotearoa’s most stunning basketball courts -and one of Whanganui’s biggest artworks thanks to local artist Mike Marsh, key sponsor Fleet Line Marking NZ and funding from the Whanganui District Council Public Art Fund.

Artist Mike Marsh describes the design as a “amalgamation of design elements submitted by local tamariki, oriented to reflect its environment giving expression to O’Kupe’s important position at the mouth of Te Awa Tupua. It includes the Maunga, the Awa, the Moana with te Rā and te Marama. The design also uses rainbow colours to reflect inclusivity and diversity. The design encourages all members of our community to feel included and responsible for this area and the well-being and safety of all who use it.”

The design followed an open design competition that attracted over 30 entries. A panel of Anique Jayasinghe (WDC Creative Communities) and Eden Waitai (Progress Castlecliff) assisted Mike Marsh (artist) in interpreting the submissions into the design.

The exceptional number and quality of submitted designs from Castlecliff School was recognised at their school assembly with Eden Waitai from Progress Castlecliff, James Barron for Ngā Ringaringa Waewae  & Sport Whanganui presenting the school with a custom black & gold CASTLECLIFF basketball. Over 40 additional balls from BBNZ and a local sponsor were provided to both Castlecliff Primary and other schools in the suburb prior and during the courts launch. 

Caleb Gray, Chief Operating Officer at Fleet Line Marking NZ/AU says “Te Kaihau O Kupe / Castlecliff is where we are based and painting sports grounds is our passion at Fleet so we’re stoked to see the final design and help bring it to life”

The painting of the court has been a fantastic complement to the hoops that were installed last December and has attracted tamariki from all over the city to come and play on this now iconic basketball court.

Sport Whanganui would like to thank the Whanganui Basketball Association, Fleet Line Markers NZ, Progress Castlecliff, Whanganui District Council, local tamariki, Basketball New Zealand and Mike Marsh for coming together to help make this happen and we look forward to continuing to support this great community into the future.