We combine mid-advanced skills with real sportsmanship. If that’s you, welcome home! $5 per player or $30 per squad. Building a Basketball Legacy in Whakatāne: One Game at a Time
For Tim Proot, basketball has always been more than just a game—it’s been a lifelong love affair. From his teenage years at a week-long basketball camp to his competitive days under the guidance of an Olympic-level coach, Tim’s passion for the sport was ignited by legends like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. But life had its detours, and for two decades, basketball took a backseat. It wasn’t until his late 30s, after rediscovering the game in Christchurch, that he realized the power of basketball to create not just competition but community. Now living in Whakatāne, Tim has become the driving force behind the growing men’s basketball scene in the Whakatāne District and surroundings. The spark was lit in November 2023 with a simple Facebook post, calling for anyone interested in social basketball to join pick-up games at the Memorial Hall. To Tim’s surprise, 10 people showed up that first Friday night, and from there, the movement grew. Sunday games were added, summer hoops spilled onto the outdoor courts in Ōhope, and what started as casual games began to feel like something much bigger.
“There’s something special about pick-up basketball,” Tim explains. “You never know who will show up, the teams are constantly changing, and it’s just pure fun. There is also beauty in the fact that one moment you are opponents, the next game night you are teammates. It creates some interesting bonding moments. But I noticed some players wanted more—a chance to form consistent teams, improve together, and compete in a meaningful way. That’s where the idea of the league came in.”
Inspired by the vibrant basketball community he experienced in Christchurch, Tim decided to take the next step: relaunching a basketball competition for men in Whakatāne. The 8-week competition, kicking off January 10, 2025, is set to bring together six teams from across the region, including players from Matatā, Edgecumbe, Ōpōtiki, and Kawerau. For Tim, it’s about more than just crowning a champion—it’s about fostering a sense of pride, connection, and growth within the local basketball scene. The league will also offer something new for players like Tim, who at 45 knows the importance of having subs and pacing yourself during games. “In pick-up, we play with a running clock, from one game to the next, almost non-stop, and it’s brutal cardio. The league format lets players rest and strategize while still enjoying the intensity of competition,” he says. While the competition is the focus, Tim is quick to emphasize that the league isn’t about replacing pick-up games but complementing them. “Pick-up is dynamic, relaxed, and inclusive. It’s perfect for anyone who just wants to show up and enjoy the game. The league is for those looking for a new challenge. Both bring out different aspects of the game, and both are equally valuable to our basketball community.”
With his sights set on developing great teams and a long-term dream of seeing others take up the challenge to lead and expand into mixed and women’s leagues, Tim hopes this league is just the beginning.
“Basketball isn’t just a game,” Tim says. “It’s a community, a challenge, and a place where anyone can belong. That’s what we’re building here in Whakatāne—one game at a time.”
