New social enterprise a slam dunk

What do basketball and prisoner reintegration have in common? Pathway!

Pathway is excited to announce the launch of its latest social enterprise, New Zealand International Basketball Tours (NZIBT). “NZIBT offers division one U.S. college basketball teams tailored tours of New Zealand and Australia,” says Ashley Gayle, NZIBT Sports Tour Director, and former Texas Longhorns centre.

In August of this year NZIBT hosted the UC Berkeley Golden Bears on their foreign tour of New Zealand and Australia. Over nine days the “Bears” played games in Auckland and Sydney and got to see a bunch of incredible local attractions.

“More than 1,000 people turned up to watch the Auckland game and 30,000 people viewed the live stream — an amazing result,” says Ashley.

The team also ziplined on Waiheke, sailed racing yachts in Waitemata Harbour, visited Great Barrier Reef, jet boated in Sydney Harbour and witnessed the New Zealand All Blacks dominate Australia!

As with all of Pathway’s social enterprises, profits from NZIBT will support its charitable services. The initiative also helps local New Zealand basketball talent to gain exposure with U.S. college and international coaches.

“We were delighted that NZIBT was able to host the Golden Bears on their foreign tour. Securing such a high-profile team for its inaugural tour has given NZIBT a great start.” says Ashley.

Work is now in progress to secure the next team for the 2018 NZIBT tour season.