With New Zealand being a participating member of our National Basketball League and with the New Zealand Under 20s National Teams currently participating in our Under 20s Ivor Burge Tournament in Maitland, the close tie between our two nations, not only from a sporting perspective but also from a cultural and geographical perspective cannot be questioned and we would like to extend to our neighbours our deepest thoughts and prayers at this time.    

We have experienced first-hand your strength and competitive spirit, and we trust that it will be these qualities, among the many others that you possess as a people and a nation, that will ensure that Christchurch and New Zealand get through this difficult time.  

We can only imagine the extent of the impact of such a tragedy to all New Zealand citizens, but also to the members of the New Zealand basketball family, of whom we hold a particular close bond. It is through that relationship that we offer our prayers and our support.