Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 

John Limna

About Me: Originally from London, I've been involved in sport for as long as I can recall starting at the British Olympic Association and was privileged to be involved in preparation for several major events and attending both the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.  In late 2002 I moved to Aotearoa taking up the Senior Advisor Athlete Services position with the NZ Academy of Sport (now High Performance Sport NZ).  Following 7 years in Singapore with the Singapore Sports Institute and Singapore Sports School I returned to Aotearoa in late 2014 starting as Chief Executive Officer with the Northern Football Federation (NFF). For the last 4 years I've been with Auckland City Mission, Te Tāpui Atawhai, involved with a series of projects across the organisation.

Position: Chief Executive Officer:  Ensure that our team has a clear strategy for supporting and developing basketball and meeting the needs of stakeholders.

Biggest Career Achievement: Building dentistry in auckland city mission. 1 year to build, 6 months to reasearch.

One moment that reminds John why he chose this career: Seeing kids playing and having fun! Their fun and laughters.

Favourite Coffee order (and where): Flat White, the flourmill

John's all-time favourite basketball player:  Larry Bird – was the first “big name” I became aware of as a kid.  Magic followed soon after.

What advice would he give his younger self?: Follow your instincts.

John's go-to hype song: Justified & Ancient – The KLF

Community Manager 

Mel Bennett

About Me: I am originally from Tauranga and have been immersed in basketball in many different roles including playing, operations, management, governance and coaching over the past 30 years. My whānau are also heavily involved in the sport which is a blessing to share our differing experiences and perspectives. 

Position: My role as Community Manager is to foster and promote the growth of grassroots and development aspects in schools, clubs, and the community. We have a team of community coaches who are guided by our Community Development Officers. An important aspect of my role is to work alongside and in collaboration with our external stakeholders including our NSO Basketball NZ, Iwi, neighbouring associations, Regional Sports Trusts, Funders and other sports codes. I also work with our Pathways and Performance team to deliver coach development opportunities. 

Mel's all-time favourite basketball player:  MJ. As a youngster growing up, he was my idol, because he dealt with adversity and challenges at a young age. I admired his work ethic and attention to detail, along with his incredibly talented creativity as an athlete. 

Mel's favourite food: Creamed paua. 

Mel's basketball positon growing up: PG.

Finance Manager

Alwin Paul

About Me:​​​​​​​ Trained in accounting, through which I strive to serve basketball.

Position:  Responsible for providing insights into our financial position and performance, including accounting for the very generous funding that ABS receives from funders.

Alwin's all-time favourite basketball player: Steven Adams - seems to have single-handedly popularised basketball in New Zealand.

Alwin's favourite food: Tropical Fruits.

Alwin's signature move on-court or off-court: Scoring a slam-dunk, with off-court services to the frontline team.

Leagues & Tournaments Officer

Michael Babaran

About Me:   Born in the Philippines, I moved to New Zealand when I was five and was raised in East and South Auckland. I’ve been very fortunate to play basketball all around New Zealand and even overseas. Over the past few years, I’ve been coaching basketball from grassroots to high school and representative levels. Outside of basketball, I love watching other sports as well and trying all different kinds of foods!

Position: I am the Leagues and Tournaments Officer. I will be in charge of developing and creating basketball leagues at all levels in the Auckland region, from grassroots to adult leagues. This would also revolve around managing venue bookings and scheduling, referee assignments, results management, and maintaining good relationships with stakeholders.

Best advice Michael has received: Be nice and genuine to people will always get you somewhere. 

What keeps Michael passionate about the sport: The love for the game, the connections and the people

Michael's all-time favourite basketball player/team:  Kyrie Irving & Isaiah Thomas/Boston Celtics

Dream sporting event to attend and why: Champions League Final (hoping Barcelona is in that final)

Michael's favourite hobby outside basketball: I love learning about history - especially the World Wars. 

Advice Michael would give his younger self: Continue to put in the unseen hours of work, watch film and back yourself!

Michael's favourite food:  A Filipino staple – Fried chicken with rice.

Michael's signature move: A wide open catch and shoot corner three is my speciality!

Pathways Lead

Keziah Lewis

About Me:

Kia Orana, I was raised in Kaitaia and spent my high school years in Auckland. I am a very proud Cook Islander, and my passion is helping people of the Pacific to achieve what they have set out to do. Growing up family was everything and with our older sister playing basketball, everyone got dragged got along to whatever tournament/training she had to be at so basketball has been a part of my life for as long I can remember. For the last 6 years of my life, I have lived in the Cook Islands and thought it was time to return to New Zealand to start to give back to the community and programmes that have provided so many opportunities throughout my life.

Position: I am the Pathways Lead. Don’t put this in, but I am not sure wth to write in here yet. I am still trying to figure out what this is….

Keziah's all-time favourite basketball player: My Favourite player of all time would probably be Magic Johnson. His IQ and the ability to play all positions at the level he did amazes me.

Keziah's favourite food: Pasta of any kind or Omelette, I love breakfast for any meal.

Favourite Coffee order (and where): Hazelnut Latte with Almond Milk, The Alex

Keziah's favourite basketball memory: Winning our First gold medal for the Cook Islands Women's Basketball Team.

What keeps Keziah passionate about the sport: The young people coming through. Seeing their potential.

What advice would Keziah give her younger self: Be prepared to make sacrifices if you want to succeed. The journey itsnt always fun but it does pay off. 

Dream sporting event to attend and why: Superbowl. It's a 2-in-1 you get a concert too (I will take out a loan if Chris Brown is ever the half time show)

Keziah's favourite part of the job: Working with Isy!!

If Keziah could play one-on-one with anyone, it would be: My Dad. He has never played any of us because he wants to always be able to say that he has never lost to us.

Keziah's signature move on the court: My favourite move was getting subbed, so I didn’t have to run haha

Keziah's basketball position is:  Is water girl a position? Nah, when I was younger, I played anywhere I needed to play, mostly guard though. In college and my later career, I have mostly played Small Forward/Power Forward.

Community Development Officer - South

Amanda Wayment

About Me:​​​​​​​ I grew up in a small town in Ogden, Utah (US) on a farm with 6 siblings and my parents. I played basketball at Brigham Young University, where I earned my bachelor’s in exercise and wellness. I also have my personal training license, which I obtained at AUT. I moved to New Zealand in 2019 and was first a live-in Au Pair from there. The rest is history.

Position: Developing sustainable participation in basketball and driving engagement at schools and clubs in the local communities of South Auckland

Amanda's all-time favourite basketball player: Male: Dirk Nowitzki Female: Breanna Stewart

Amanda's favourite food: Sushi

Amanda's favourite basketball memory: Playing in Madison Square Garden for the High School National Championship when I was a senior in High School

Amanda's signature move on the court: Left Hook on the Block

Amanda's go-to hype song: Pon De Replay by Rihanna

Community Development Officer - West

Kane Keil

About Me: I was born and raised in South Auckland. Basketball has been a massive part of my life, it has given me so many opportunities to study, see some more of the world, also make a lot of friends and some really good memories. I’ve always been a person that wants to help people and I’m really looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned from basketball.

Position:  Developing sustainable participation in basketball and driving engagement at schools and clubs in local communities throughout West Auckland.  

What's one moment that reminds Kane why he chose this career: There's no specific moment, but seeing the smiles on faces while people hoop.

Advice Kane would give his younger self: Enjoy the process, don't get too caught up in the highs and lows

Kane's all-time favourite basketball player/team: Kevin Durant/Cade Cunningham  - Detroit Pistons

Kane's favourite food: Chinese food.

Favourite Coffee order (and where): Medium Oat Mocha from Ruby Red

Kane's favourite basketball memory:  Winning a NZNBL Championship with the Otago Nuggets

Kane's favourite hobby outside basketball: Enjoying gaming with mates (COD, 2K)

Dream sporting event to attend: Courtside Game 7 NBA Finals

Kane's signature move on/off the court: Hesi Pull.

Community Development Officer - Central

Theo Johnson

About Me: Kia ora, I’m Theo. I was born in South Auckland and moved to Tauranga when I was eight. I did most of my schooling there before finishing my last year at Rosmini College. Basketball has been a big part of my life for many years, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with the wider Auckland Community.

Position: Central Development Officer - developing sustainable participation in basketball and driving engagement at schools and clubs in local communities throughout Central Auckland. 

Biggest career achievement: Assistant coaching for the nz19 JTB team that went to China this year! 

Theo's all-time favourite basketball player: Steve Novak, Steve Nash, & KING JAMES - No need to explain

Theo's favourite food: Anything my wife cooks.

Theo's best advice received: "how you do anything is how you do everything"

One moment that reminds Theo why he chose this career: seeing the development of the boys he coaches.

What's one lesson basketball has taught you?: That you're never as good as you think you are - stay grounded, stay respectful

What's your favourite part of your job?: Giving opportunities to kids who have never played basketball before and seeing them thrive and have fun in a new sport.

Theo's go-to hype song: Rio Mixx - Jay4rmOnehunga or anything Victor J Sefo

What's your Hidden talent? (party tricks really): I know the lyrics to almost every rnb songs released in the 2000's and 90's.

Dream sporting event to attend and why:  FIFA World cup final because its the biggest sporting event in the whole world.

If Theo wasn't working in sport, he would: be a DJ or an actor

What's your favourite hobby outside basketball?: Anything to do with the outdoors! Fishing, diving, or Hunting.

What advice would Theo give his younger self?: Don't be an idiot. Respect people, respect their time, and work hard.

If Theo could play one-on-one with anyone, it would be...My wife was in her prime playing days for sure. "Apparently" she won a national title on the buzzer so I'm trying to humble her a bit (Respectfully)

Theo's basketball position is: Lay up line warrior (Real ones know where the highlights are really made)

Community Development Officer- South & Pathways Admin

Isabella Dunn

About Me: Kia ora! Growing up in South Auckland, sport has always been a big part of life for my whanau and I. I have spent majority of my years in the netball community, and more recently have been introduced to the basketball community. I recently graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, which has helped expand my experience in sport through coaching, sport analysis, S&C and administration.

Position with ABS: My role at ABS is Pathways Administration- supporting our Pathways Lead :)

All-time favourite basketball player: Keziah Lewis!

Favourite Food: Nectarines

Basketball position growing up: Still not sure what position I would play.. Bench?

Favourite hype song: Forever- CB

Best advice Isabella has received: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

What keeps Isabella passionate about the sport: Watching the next generation develop their passion for the game

What's a moment in basketball Isabella will never forget: ​​​​​​​Her Year 13 school season- undefeated in Open A!

What's your favourite part of your job?: Working with the team! Especially Keziah

Dream sporting event to attend and why: Rugby World Cup final with my dad 

If Isabella weren't working in sport, she would: Eat her way around Europe

Favourite hobby outside basketball: Netball

Team Lead: Games and Officials

Tui Tait

Biggest career achievement: To have played, coached, managed, and administered in our sport, Basketball.

What's one thing people don't realise about working in sport?: Sport is a platform for you to be the best you choose to be, and learn values and life skills. It's not just about winning and losing.

Best advice Tui has ever received: You are only as good as your last game!

One moment that reminds Tui why she chose this career path: When people come up to you years later and tell you how great they are doing in life, reminding you of the part you had in their development.

A moment in basketball you'll never forget: The time my coach had me climb the ropes to qualify to go to nationals. I was not missing out on nationals and got up the ropes no matter what.

Tui's proudest basketball moment: 1999 when Avondale College won BBNZ Secondary Schools Nationals. 

One lesson basketball has taught Tui: Never give up. Do the best you can do.

Tui's favourite part of the job: Working with people, and being able to help them.

 Favourite basketball player (past or present /Favourite team: Michael Jordan

Three words Tui's teammates would use to describe her: Fair, demanding (at times), caring

Tui's favourite hobby outside basketball: Family and music

What gets Tui out of bed every morning: Her grandchildren

Advice Tui would give her younger self: Enjoy your journey and do it your way

Advice Tui would give to young basketball players: If you are aiming for the stars, understand you only get out of something what you put into it. It doesn't fall in your lap, and only the cream rises to the top. Be prepared for super hard work.

Tui's daily motivation: The gift of life and being able to help others.