Basketball New Zealand

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Basketball New Zealand would like to record the sad loss of long-serving Palmerston North basketball stalwart Gary Buurman on Saturday, January 9, 2010.

Buurman emigrated from Bellingham, Washington, in 1970 to teach economics at Massey University, where he remained as a senior lecturer until his retirement in 2004.

As well as playing club basketball for well-known Palmerston North club Family Circus, Gary became coach and mentor to the highly successful Massey University basketball teams from 1976 through into the 1980′s, was coach for Palmerston North (now the Manawatu Jets franchise) in the NBL’s inaugural year and was also NZ Universities coach.

Later in life, as his sons’ involvement began in the game, he coached several Palmerston North age-group teams and was an active PNBA committee member for many years. Buurman retired from playing at age 50, and was involved in coaching through the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s and into the new century.

He passed away after a short illness, aged 65, and is survived by his wife Kathy, and children Wiremu, George and Atawhai.