A dispute has erupted in Counties Manukau basketball circles with the regional body and a private group led by former Tall Black Lindsay Tait that could have an impact on kids representing their region and country.
ACB is a private group that runs basketball competitions across Auckland which is not affiliated to Basketball New Zealand or any regional body, with Tait passing on his expertise to the next generation.
That has drawn the ire of Counties Manukau Basketball, which sent out a note to members warning players of linking with ACB and threatening exclusion for sanctioned events should they represent ACB.
“Hello everyone – I need to make you aware of these potential groups and the potential impact on your sons [sic] future representative opportunities for both Counties and NZ,” the message read. “ACB are promoting trials and the Hoop Nations [sic] event next year. You need to know that ACB are not an affiliated group, in other words it does not have any affiliation to any basketball association or Basketball NZ which is why it does not participate in Super City, regional tournaments or BBNZ National events.
“If you are considering allowing your boy to trial and participate as a member of ACB then your boy will not be eligible to represent CMBB or NZ in 2021. The ACB group have not made families aware of the ramifications of participating in their programme, which is wrong of them.”
The move prompted an aggressive response from Tait via his Facebook page yesterday.
“THIS IS DISGUSTING & FULL OF LIES,” he said. “I cannot believe that the governing body of our sport in South Auckland, NZ’s most talented catchment would strong arm a community they have been letting die a slow death since I was playing. ACB has never claimed affiliation. We don’t want it! You all are dirty. ACB is not stopping anyone from playing basketball YOU ARE!! We are opening doors, developing athletes, spreading love. You are all running around scared.”
Counties Sports Hub will attempt to speak to both parties today to get more detail around the dispute and the impact of kids.
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