Basketball: Hawks guard Everard Bartlett has never backed down - in basketball or in life

Everard Bartlett (right) comes across a lot of young talent in Hawke's Bay. Photo/supplied

Everard Bartlett has officially traded the hawk for the fern this month, as he travels to the Philippines to represent New Zealand at the Fiba 3x3 Basketball World Cup.

But the Hawke's Bay-born player's path to the world stage wasn't a straightforward one - he's eager to see more of the region's raw talent have the opportunity to wear the black singlet too.

"I've faced adversity, labelling, injuries and there's been opportunities not given to me," says the 32-year-old Taylor Corporation Hawks shooting guard. "Having the right people and mentors around me got me through the bumps and I learnt, that in times of hardship, a positive attitude and self-belief would keep me going."

This holistic approach to the sport is the philosophy behind Bartlett's business, EB Sports Development - which provides programmes for youth to enjoy basketball as preparation for future involvement at higher levels.

With basketball set to become the most popular sport for school-aged children by 2020, Bartlett wants to help lay the framework for a robust basketball development system with the hope that more Hawke's Bay locals will rise to the top in the sport.

"Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball," he says. "I didn't play against the toughest competition in high school, but I was able to do well was because I mastered the fundamentals."

Over the two years EB Sports Development has been in operation, Bartlett has come across an abundance of extremely talented youths. The player and coach has set his sights on providing them with similar guidance and opportunities he had in the sport.

"I grew up in Flaxmere with my fair share of challenges - but I had the right people around me offering encouragement and support.

"I was taught that in times of hardship and adversity you can either shy away and give up, or you can accept it as a challenge. In my programme, I focus a lot on player mentality - because I know this will aid in developing kids who stick with the sport."

Everard Bartlett (right) and Alonzo Burton are giving back to their Hawke's Bay community. Photo/supplied

Bartlett's business has grown over the last couple of years and he is now travelling the country, running clinics, trainings and organising 3x3 tournaments.

"Once I'm back from Worlds, I'll be picking straight back up with the Hawks and the business, with a 3x3 tournament planned for the schools in Napier and Hastings - and training clinics scheduled around the Bay," he says.

Bartlett was officially named in the New Zealand 3x3 squad this week. They are placed in pool A along with Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands and defending champions Serbia. They began their campaign in Manila yesterday.

All games are being live streamed on the FIBA 3x3 Youtube channel, and all of New Zealand's games on the Basketball New Zealand Facebook page.