OUR COMMITTEE

Chairperson -

Pax O'Dowd

It is a real privilege to serve as Chairperson of North Canterbury Basketball and to be part of such a great community. NCBA is a club I am genuinely passionate about, and I’m excited about the opportunity to help steer the association in a positive direction and see basketball continue to thrive across the mighty North Canterbury.

Basketball is a big part of our household, with all four of my tamariki involved with NCBA in some capacity — whether that’s playing, refereeing, coaching, or cheering from the sidelines! We love getting to the courts, being part of the action, and seeing more people enjoying this awesome game.

I love coaching and getting stuck in wherever I can, so if you see me around the courts, please feel free to come up and introduce yourself. And for those who know me already, you’ll know I’m always up for a good yarn!

I’m looking forward to working alongside our committee, our coaches, players, volunteers, whānau and wider basketball community as we continue building a strong and positive future for NCBA.

Deputy Chairperson - Royce Sheath

Royce joined the NCBA Committee in 2024 with a vision to help shape North Canterbury Basketball into an association that our community can be proud of.

A passionate coach, Royce has been involved with NCBA since 2023, Coaching in the winter club competition, SIPT, SDP, and assisting at Mainlands. His coaching journey began with his sons' primary school team in Friday Night Basketball, and it quickly grew into a passion. Royce thrives on helping players unlock their full potential and fostering strong, united teams.

Beyond basketball, Royce runs a small computer repair business in Rangiora. He is a proud father of three amazing kids, all active in NCBA basketball at different levels. Royce is driven by a belief that, together, we can make NCBA the premier basketball association.

Secretary  -  Jas Paassens

Jasmine joined the NCBA Committee in 2026 as Secretary, keen to contribute to the continued growth and development of the basketball community in North Canterbury.

With a background in administration and logistics and a keen eye for organisation, Jasmine enjoys supporting the committee behind the scenes and helping ensure things run smoothly. She is passionate about creating a positive, inclusive environment where players, coaches, volunteers and families feel valued and supported.

Jasmine is proud to be part of the NCBA Committee and is committed to helping build an association that our basketball community can be proud of.

Management Committee - Hamish Dale

Hamish Dale brings a balance of local grassroots dedication and high-level international experience to the NCBA. A local teacher in the community, Hamish is deeply passionate about youth development and fostering strong, supportive sporting environments across the region. On the committee, his focus centers on driving growth in community basketball and strengthening referee pathways. Beyond his governance role, Hamish is a FIBA 3x3 referee and former NZNBL League official who has represented Aotearoa internationally. He stays hands-on in the local hoops community by coaching, refereeing, and supporting locally to ensure players, coaches, and officials at every level have access to quality pathways, strong mentorship, and positive experiences in the game.

Management Committee - Gordon Wong

TBC

Management Committee - Andrew Henderson

Andrew Henderson brings significant experience in contract governance, management, and operations. With a background spanning multiple council-controlled organisations, he has a sound understanding of local government and its operations. He takes a data-driven approach, building robust evidence to support decisions.

Outside of work, Andrew is a keen mountain biker and a full-time sports parent. He and his family are based in North Canterbury, and all three of his kids are heavily involved in sport, with basketball a big part of life in the household. He brings the same hands-on, no-nonsense approach to the committee that he does on the trails and the sidelines.

Management Committee - Mike Kneebone

Mike has joined the North Canterbury Basketball Association (NCBA) with a strong desire to give back to an organisation that has brought immense value to his family. Over the past four years, he has been involved in the NCBA community, both as a social player and as a coach for his son’s basketball team.

Sport has always been a fundamental part of Mike's life. In his younger years, he played both rugby and cricket at a senior level. He has successfully carried this passion into his professional life with the New Zealand Police, where he has spent the last 20 years serving the community—both locally in North Canterbury and in Christchurch, where he currently works as a Detective in the CIB. Throughout his career in the police force, Mike has been heavily involved in organising major sporting initiatives and community fundraising events.

Living locally in North Canterbury with his wife and two children, Mike is proud to support the region's youth. He is incredibly excited to step into his role with the NCBA, bringing his unique blend of event-planning experience and sporting passion to help "keep the wheels rolling" and ensure local young people continue to enjoy fantastic opportunities.