NZ Breakers offer free tickets to IHC buddies
Tuesday 27 November 2007, 4:54PM
By IHC New Zealand
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The Harvey Norman NZ Breakers are offering IHC volunteers and their buddies free tickets to the North Shore basketballers' game on December 6 to mark International Volunteer Day (5 December).
Breakers General Manager Richard Clarke has a special interest in IHC's Volunteer Programme. He has a buddy from IHC, Andrew Boyce, who plays basketball and is as mad on sport as he is.
The Breakers NBL game against the Sydney Kings is on at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday 6 December. All volunteers in the IHC Volunteer Programme and their buddies are welcome.
"It's International Volunteer Day the day before and it's part of that. It's just to come in and have a bit of fun," Richard says. "It will be good to get a big group."
He says his involvement with the IHC buddy programme is a personal matter – "it's not a club thing". But it doesn't stop him encouraging club members and fans to think about joining in. He has been successful in encouraging one fan to volunteer.
Richard's buddy Andrew, 24, spends a lot of time around the Breakers and doesn't mind offering advice to coach Andrej Lemanis if he thinks he needs it. Andrew plays basketball for North Harbour.
"He comes to most of the games and brings his little cousin Scottie – and he is a really big Breakers fan," Richard says.
Andrew is encouraged by the Breakers' recent winning streak. "The way they are playing, I think they will make the final – they are trying hard."
He says if he was Andrej Lemanis, he'd do a bit more coaching on three-point shots. "If they performed well they would get a pay rise."
Richard has a plan to encourage other basketballers with disabilities by getting local teams to play curtain-raisers before Breakers' games. The first of these curtain-raisers will be at the Breakers versus the Hawks on 20 December.
IHC Chief Executive Ralph Jones says the work of IHC is supported by more than 700 volunteers in communities throughout New Zealand.
"People who volunteer for IHC make a big contribution to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It helps ensure that people with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives in the community."
IHC volunteers are trained and supported with their roles, whether as members involved with local branch committees, fundraising or contributing other skills.
"There are 23,000 adults and 13,000 children with intellectual disabilities living in New Zealand. Just like the rest of us, they need to learn new things, be active and form friendships. It's volunteers that help to make this happen."