New face for basketball

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

DEVELOPING TALENT: Adam Rainbird will bring youth and enthusiasm to the Marlborough Basketball development officer position.

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There is a fresh face in the Marlborough Basketball office this season.

However, don't let Adam Rainbird's youthful looks fool you – he has plenty of basketball experience to offer.

The 18-year-old will fill the role of Marlborough Basketball development officer this season, taking over from his mother, Sally Rainbird, in the position.

Despite his youth, Rainbird has already packed a lot in to a busy basketball career. The young guard was a member of the Junior Tall Blacks, has spent three months in the New Zealand Breakers' Academy and has trained with the Nelson Giants for the past four years.

Born and brought up in Marlborough, Rainbird has spent the past five years playing basketball in Nelson to further a career he hopes will take him to the international stage.

The captain of Nelson College's basketball team for the past two years, Rainbird has returned to his home province as he recovers from ankle surgery and mulls over scholarship offers from United States' universities. Since he won't be leaving for the US until later this year, Rainbird said he was offered the development officer's job and saw it as a chance to work in the sport he loved.

"The opening was here and I thought it was a great opportunity to give something back to the sport in Marlborough.

"I could have got a job where I'd be earning more money, but this is a great job doing what I love – plus it fits in well with my training."

Rainbird said there were two main parts to the development officer's job.

Soon he will be heading to Marlborough's primary schools to run skill sessions with classes from year 3 to year 8.

The aim is to promote the sport and hopefully expand on the more than 50 teams that already compete in Marlborough Basketball's primary school competitions.

The second major task is running the weekly miniball coaching programme for children from five to eight years old.

He also hoped to run some sessions at Marlborough Lines Stadium for older and more skilled teenage players.

"I'm keen to help anyone who's serious about basketball.

"I know the process it takes to get to the States and international basketball and can show people the level they need to be to get there," he said.

"Hopefully I can inspire some kids by telling them about my experiences and what opportunities there are in basketball."

Rainbird is not completely new to coaching and has helped out with skill sessions in Marlborough and Nelson while also coaching junior teams in Nelson.

While he will be full on in the development officer's role helping junior players, Rainbird wasn't sure if senior basketballers would have the opportunity to match up with him on court as he continues with rehabilitation on his ankle.

- The Marlborough Express