About Us
The Fata Letoa Foundation has been established so that Fata’s passion for life, bravery and selflessness lives on through supporting youth basketball in the community. Fata saw the best in all and embodied everything it means to be a coach, a mentor, a father and a friend.
The foundation honours Fata’s memory by giving youth the opportunity to play basketball and have access to the game through Basketball associations in our community. We want to give the opportunity to every student athlete who want to take part in the sport the opportunity to get on the court.
In December 2017, Fata was given a second chance at life when he became a recipient of a double lung transplant. Fata lived each day to the absolute fullest, with courage and a ready smile, always searching for ways he could ‘pay it forward’; whether it was coaching basketball, working as the NZ Breakers Manager or supporting others who were awaiting a transplant of their own.
With two older brothers and two younger sisters, funding sports trips was not always possible for Fata as a young athlete. Fata would be proud knowing that his enthusiasm for youth basketball and passion for giving back will be honoured with the efforts of the Fata Letoa Foundation, aiming to provide young athletes with the financial backing and support they need to participate in basketball and excel at school.
Fata Letoa Foundation provides financial aid to student-athletes and teams in our *Community so they can participate in organised recreational and competitive sports. Financial support is distributed directly to the specific organisations that successful applicants wish to join.
To be considered for financial support, an applicant must:
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Be a student (Y7-13)
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Demonstrate a financial need
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Be a resident in our Community: North Harbour / Hibiscus Coast / Northland and be a New Zealand resident
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Choose to participate with a Basketball Association approved by Fata Letoa Foundation
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Provide documentation from the club/organization/camp of funds needed to participate
Who is eligible for support?
Our Trustees
Fata Letoa Foundation is a registered Charitable Trust (CC59447) and is governed by a group of committed trustees, all share a passion for youth, basketball and equal opportunity.
Jordan Letoa
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Fata Letoa's eldest son
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Bachelor of Science, PgDip Secondary School Teaching
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Biology and Health/Physical Education Teacher at Takapuna Grammar School
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Founder of Shore Jam - summer youth basketball league
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Harbour Basketball Coach
Kirk Penney
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Former professional basketball player from New Zealand
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Represented New Zealand at 2 x Olympic Games, 4 x World Cup.
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Second Kiwi to play in the NBA.
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Played professional basketball in the USA, Spain, Israel, Lithuania, German, Australia & Turkey.
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New Zealand Breakers player and MVP of the Australian NBL in 2009.
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Director of player development and coaching consultant at the University of Virginia
Paul Mahan
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EY Global Client Service Partner
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Bachelor of Commerce, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Commerce, Accounting, Information Systems and Taxation from the University of Auckland.
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Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Paula Letoa
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Fata Letoa's Wife
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20 years in the advertising and design industry
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Managed a few basketball teams over the years
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Currently retraining; studying for a Bachelor of Applied Counselling
John Hunt
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CEO at Harbour Basketball Association
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Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Bachelor of Commerce – International Business/Trade/Commerce
Walter and Nuala Goldstein
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Established the foundation after recognising through their own involvement with Basketball the need for assistance to give all youth in the community the opportunity to partake in the sport of Basketball.
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Business owners on Auckland North Shore for 18 years
If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. – Samoan quote
