Tall Blacks Enlist ‘Royal’ Support on the Road to Spain   9 Jul 2014

Basketball New Zealand

Burger King New Zealand was today announced as the naming rights partner to the upcoming basketball series between the Tall Blacks and South Korea, strengthening a partnership with Basketball New Zealand and the game that goes back for over a decade.

Basketball New Zealand CEO Iain Potter says his organisation is endeavouring to give the Tall Blacks the best possible build up towards the FIBA World Cup in Spain, with the support of Burger King much valued and welcomed by the national body and Tall Blacks alike.

“The Burger King International Basketball Series will play a huge part in the preparation of the Tall Blacks as they build towards Spain and the FIBA World Cup in late August and early September. Ours is a fine balancing act looking to provide opportunities for our national teams in a truly globally competitive sport but having to do so within very limiting financial parameters.

“Burger King recognises the global and national appeal of the sport and has done for some years, backing the sport in various capacities, most recently of course as naming rights partner to the Burger King 3X3 National Tour this past summer. We are thrilled to have them further invest in the sport and the upcoming Burger King International Basketball Series.”

Burger King sees the partnership as a natural extension of their current involvement in the sport.

“Burger King is excited to continue our long term relationship with Basketball New Zealand,” says James Woodbridge – Burger King, General Manager Marketing.

“Basketball has grown massively over the past few years and our support of the Tall Blacks is a logical extension of Burger King’s support of the national 3x3 competition, run during the summer months. Basketball continues to be underfunded in the face of significant player number participation and it is our pleasure to be able contribute back to the communities we operate in as we support the Tall Blacks World Cup campaign.”

Potter emphasised that the Burger King International Basketball Series serves two purposes.

“Fans are in for a rare treat, with world class basketball in their own back yard as the Tall Blacks travel to Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland to play a very good and also Spain bound Korean team. This is however also a chance for fans to farewell and wish the team well before they head away on an arduous and challenging road trip that will have them in peak form and fitness to take on the world at the World Cup in Spain in late August.”

The team, meanwhile continue their preparations in Auckland with 24 players vying for a place on an initial roster of 16 that will be named for the Burger King International Basketball Series. The team will scrimmage again today in Auckland before head coach Nenad Vucinic names the players to then travel to Wellington on Thursday to continue their build up.

Burger King International Basketball Series

Tuesday 15 July. TSB Bank Arena, Wellington.
Tip-off: 7.40pm.

Thursday 17 July. ASB Arena at Baypark.
Tip-off: 7.40pm.

Saturday 19 July. North Shore Events Centre.
Tip-off: 7.40pm.

Tickets for the Burger King International Basketball Series from www.ticketek.co.nz

ENDS

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