Buffy Soloman

I come from a basketball whānau with deep connections to the sport — from school competitions through to adult leagues. My involvement spans a wide range of roles and responsibilities across the Rotorua basketball community.

I have:

• Managed representative teams for the Rotorua Basketball Association
• Served as a referee for local leagues and various tournaments
• Provided leadership and guidance as Teacher in Charge of Basketball at Western Heights High School

My dedication to basketball and to supporting rangatahi in sport reflects my passion for community, teamwork, and uplifting others through kaupapa Māori values and strong whānau foundations.

In governance, I contribute my skills as a dedicated Board Member with responsibilities that focus on finance oversight, funding applications, and ensuring strong organisational sustainability.

The role includes:

• Managing finance-related responsibilities, including budget oversight and supporting transparent reporting
• Preparing and submitting funding applications to secure grants
• Helping run local basketball leagues, ensuring smooth operations and positive experiences for players and whānau
• Supporting the delivery of tournaments by helping manage venues, monitoring schedules, coordinating court activities, and supporting event flow across multiple games and spaces