Burger King Brings Global Craze to New Zealand

18 December 2013

Burger King Brings Global Craze to New Zealand

Burger King announced today a new four-year partnership with Basketball New Zealand to introduce the global phenomenon, FIBA 3X3 across the country.

Picking up on the worldwide craze, the Burger King National 3x3 Tour will visit ten key locations across the country this summer, beginning in Auckland on Saturday 25 January.

FIBA 3X3 is a three on three shortened version of basketball played on a half court, originating in the USA. It has played a significant role in the growth of basketball globally. 3X3 had its international competitive debut at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore.

The Burger King National 3x3 Tour offers New Zealand’s emerging athletes – and not just hoopsters – the chance to showcase their skills in basketball’s equivalent of sevens rugby or T20 cricket.

“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Basketball New Zealand and to help bring a 3x3 circuit to New Zealand,” says Burger King Chief Executive, John Hunter.

“Burger King has enjoyed a long-standing association with basketball, and we know our customers recognise and appreciate that relationship. The opportunity to be associated with introducing the global 3x3 phenomenon to Kiwis around the country during the summer is something Burger King is really looking forward to.”

New Zealand has already enjoyed success in 3x3 – Tall Blacks Isaac Fotu, Reuben Te Rangi and Tai Webster combined to help win the inaugural FIBA Youth 3X3 World Championship in 2008. FIBA is currently lobbying for 3x3 to be included in the 2020 Olympics, potentially offering kiwi basketballers the opportunity to gain recognition on the world stage.

“Basketball has become a staple part of New Zealand’s sporting culture,” says Basketball New Zealand chief executive Iain Potter.

“Statistics show that basketball is the leading participation sport for Kiwis aged 5-18, but not all of them play in formal competitions. We hope this tour will encourage those on the periphery of our sport to enter with their mates and take part at a competitive level.

“As well as this participation component, there’s an elite element which will attract much interest. The Burger King 3x3 National Tour will form the basis for Basketball New Zealand to select a National Under 18 3x3 team to play at the 2014 Youth Olympics in China and a Men’s side to play at the World Cup in Russia next year.”

In 2014 the Burger King National 3x3 Tour will take in 10 events, which will expand to 12 centres in 2015 and 14 the following year. The long-term plan is to expand the circuit to include community-based events in the host centres.

The 2014 Burger King National 3X3 Tour schedule:
Saturday, January 25, Manukau - Manukau City Council Car Park
Saturday, February 1, Waitakere - Waitakere Netball Centre
Thursday, February 6, Hawke’s Bay - Hawke’s Bay Sports Park, Hastings
Saturday, February 8, Tauranga - The Strand Car Park
Saturday, February 15, Christchurch - Hagley Park Netball Courts
Sunday, February 16, Dunedin - Forsyth Bar Stadium
Saturday, February 22, North Shore - Westlake Girls High School
Saturday, March 1, Porirua - Mungavin Netball Courts
Saturday, March 15, Hamilton - Waikato University Tennis Courts
Saturday, March 29, Auckland - Aotea Square.

ENDS

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