John Carley has been a dedicated figure in New Plymouth basketball since the early 1980s, when he began refereeing after recognising a future in officiating more than on the court as a player. His passion for the game has spanned decades and roles, including 25 years as NPBA's Referee Coordinator and 15 years on the National Basketball League referees panel (1989–2005).
In addition to refereeing, John has been a mainstay on the scorebench and as a statistician since the mid-1980s. He served as a board member during the establishment of Basketball Taranaki (BBT) and remained on the board for three years. Since 2020, John has been an active member of the NPBA committee, bringing his wealth of experience in officiating and basketball administration to his current role as President.
While John enjoys most sports, basketball has always been his true passion—from his early playing days to his long-standing commitment to refereeing and governance.
Chair - Leagues Sub-Committee
Pam has been immersed in basketball since the age of 15, bringing decades of experience and dedication to the sport. After moving to New Plymouth from Hawera in 1982, she began playing in 1983 and has been a passionate contributor to the basketball community ever since. Pam has served on the NPBA Committee since 1999 and is proud to hold the title of Life Member.
Currently, she serves as Vice President and Leagues Co-Ordinator for both Senior and Junior Leagues, as well as Gym Marshall. Pam is deeply committed to giving back to the game she loves, especially through supporting players and watching her family continue the basketball legacy.
Chairperson - Communications and Fundraising Committee
Chairperson - Development Committee
Liza Fisher joined the NPBA committee at the December AGM and brings a fresh perspective to the Communications and Fundraising portfolio. Her involvement began when her son, Sam, was selected for representative teams—sparking a deep passion for the game. This interest soon led to her co-running a Summer League for junior-aged players.
Since joining the committee, two major projects Liza has contributed to are establishing NPBA branding guidelines and helping create a new website for the organisation. She is passionate about improving processes, strengthening communication across NPBA, and being approachable and available to members.
Liza loves the sense of community that basketball creates and enjoys watching her son form friendships with kids from a wide range of schools through the game.
Brooke Rule
Committee Member
Brooke has a lifelong passion for basketball, having been involved in the sport for many decades. Her journey began as a player and later evolved into coaching while living in Australia. After moving to New Plymouth nearly eight years ago, Brooke continued to share her enthusiasm for the game by coaching her son’s school teams and, more recently, becoming involved with NPBA following her son Levi’s selection for the representative teams.
Recognising the importance of grassroots development, Brooke established and managed a Mini Summer League to promote skill growth and engagement for the U12 age group. Sport has always been a key source of friendship, connection, and community for Brooke. After witnessing the dedication and talent of NPBA’s players, families, and volunteers, she is eager to contribute further as a committee member—helping to support and strengthen the ongoing success of the association.
Tony has been involved in basketball for many years, starting out as a player before moving into refereeing, where he progressed to officiate at the NBL level. Since then, Tony has become a cornerstone of referee development in the region, dedicating countless hours over the past decade to supporting and mentoring referees across Taranaki. Many young officials credit Tony for his guidance and encouragement.
Tony has held nearly every position within the New Plymouth Basketball Association since first joining the committee at the age of 19. He is currently the association’s Referee Coordinator and continues to champion the growth of the game, especially through developing young players and referees to build both basketball and life skills.
Abby Wood
Committee Member
Abby joined the New Plymouth Basketball Association committee driven by her passion for the game and the strong sense of community it brings to her family. Having spent countless hours courtside—either supporting her children, helping teams, or connecting with other families. Abby has seen firsthand how basketball creates belonging, confidence, and lifelong friendships.
She is committed to being hands-on in strengthening and expanding basketball opportunities across New Plymouth. Whether it’s improving pathways for young players, supporting volunteers, or helping shape positive growth for the sport, Abby brings energy, empathy, and a genuine desire to give back.
Her goal is to help NPBA continue to grow in a way that reflects the values she cares most about: inclusiveness, teamwork, and community. Abby is excited to contribute to a future where more people can experience the joy and connection that basketball has given her family.