Darnielle Hoods

I am grateful to be serving on the board of the Rotorua Basketball Association and am committed to strengthening sustainable basketball pathways for our Rotorua community.

My journey with the association began at a grassroots level, attending games where four of my tamariki now play, alongside another who contributes as a referee, while also supporting my brothers and cousins involved in the game. I later stepped into a volunteer team manager role for two seasons in response to a need within the team. Supporting my tamariki and wider whānau in this space gave me a deep appreciation for the people, effort, and connection that sit at the heart of the game. This foundation continues to shape my approach to governance.

Professionally, I am the Community Ministries Manager at The Salvation Army Rotorua, where I lead programmes and services that support whānau across our community. Through this work, I bring experience in strategic leadership, governance, and community engagement, with a strong focus on outcomes that are both people-centred and sustainable.

I am committed to shaping a culture within RBA where people are known, valued, and supported. I bring this lens to the board table, with a focus on participation, development, and creating meaningful opportunities for our rangatahi.

I am passionate about ensuring basketball in Rotorua continues to grow in a way that is inclusive, well-led, and built to serve future generations.