Season Tickets Go On Sale as Members Share Heartwarming Stories

What is it about the BNZ Breakers, which draws different sections of the community together?

A heartwarming new campaign launched today delves into the lives of some of the members, and each story is unique.

“Members are the lifeblood of the BNZ Breakers,” says Chief Executive Lisa Edser.

“The commitment and support shown to the team is not lost on anyone on the team.

“We hope these stories will inspire casual Breakers’ supporters to join our extended family in the upcoming season and beyond.”

In the case of young widow Belinda Tia, basketball is filling a void as she rebuilds her life following the death of her husband Dion two and a half years ago.

“My friend bought me to basketball, she says.

“The atmosphere, the team, just the whole part of the game was amazing.  My membership has helped me to meet new people, connect with people and get out of the house again.”

Daniel and Sarah McManaway became hooked on the BNZ Breakers a decade ago when their friends gave them free tickets to go to a game.

They instantly fell in love with the team and have been bringing their daughter Abigail to games since she was ten months old.

Five-year-old Abigail has been a full-season member for three years.

“One benefit of being a Breakers member is being part of a community.  We’ve made so many friends going to the games, says mum Sarah. 

Kevin and Jen Blakeman’s kids, Henry (12) and Oliver (9) have become obsessed with basketball, prompting their parents to buy season memberships.

They describe themselves as “Facebook famous for a couple of days” following the emotional images of their kids at Spark Arena captured by Sky Sport that went viral worldwide.

“I think just seeing the raw emotion from our children after that game was heartwarming because you could just see it meant a lot to them,” says mum Jen.

“The feedback we got was pretty incredible,” says dad Kevin.

“Tom Abercrombie saw our son Henry and told him ‘you’ve been on the TV more than me this week!’”

Abercrombie, widely considered the greatest player ever to wear the Breakers’ jersey, is also part of 20-year-old Jaden Movold’s story.

The basketball fanatic has been a season member for 12 years, and Abercrombie came to his bedside at Starship Hospital after he suffered a serious accident in 2014.

“It was one of the hardest times in my life being in hospital at that time,” says Jaden.

“I love going to the games, getting my season membership, love watching the game and love playing it.”

Season memberships are now on sale through the BNZ Breakers’ website, www.nzbreakers.basketball.

They cover eight games at Spark Arena and one at EventFinda Stadium in Auckland this season.  The remainder of the BNZ Breakers’ games this season are in Christchurch, Wellington and New Plymouth.