Tall Ferns Without Government Funding For Six Years

The Tall Ferns have not received any funding in the past six years from the government-funded High Performance Sport New Zealand, according to Olivia Caldwell of STUFF. The team has been "blocked" from funding by High Performance New Zealand while its male counterpart, the Tall Blacks, "continue to receive grants," despite only four FIBA ranks separating the two. While the Tall Blacks received financial backing of NZ$150,000 ($96,650) this year and NZ$125,000 in '17, the Tall Ferns "got none." The last funding the national women's team received from the government organization was NZ$40,000 in '12. Basketball New Zealand CEO Iain Potter said that applications for funding for both national teams were "sent away," but have been "continually declined for the women's side." Potter said, "High Performance Sport New Zealand has basketball as a 'campaign sport,' so we have to apply annually on a campaign basis and push our case" (STUFF, 10/7).