Tall Black to coach basketball at Youthtown | Auckland Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Auckland

Tall Black guard Lindsay Tait will return to the basketball hunting ground of his youth thanks to a partnership between Auckland Basketball and Youthtown.

Tait will run the Youthtown City Basketball Club in tandem with Basketball Auckland's four other satellite clubs to provide basketball programmes for youth who don't have access to a local team or club.

Tait started his basketball career by shooting hoops at Youthtown 21 years ago.

He's employed by Auckland Basketball to offer coaching advice and expertise to children in Years 7 to 13 for the programme. It will be run from Youthtown's central branch on Nelson Street from next month.

The programmes will also create chances for Youthtown players to compete against teams from other satellite clubs on a Saturday morning.

 "I started at Youthtown when I was only eight years old," says Lindsay. "It feels great to be back in the gym working with these kids who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to play," Tait says.

"After 21 years of playing it's great to be in a position to share my love and passion for the sport with these kids and show them exactly what they can achieve if they put their minds to it."

Youthtown has had a long history with basketball, running leagues in Auckland for many years before Basketball Auckland was established.

Basketball Auckland general manager John McGregor hopes the partnership will encourage more young people into the game.

"Given Youthtown's history and past experience it seemed like a logical move and acquiring the services of Tall Black and NBL player Lindsay Tait is a real coup."

For more information go to www.basketballauckland.co.nz or email lindsay@basketballauckland.co.nz