In Otago sport has always meant more than the scoreboard. It represents identity, pride and the belief that smaller regions can stand confidently on a national stage. The Otago Nuggets embody that spirit. 

After stepping away from the National Basketball League in 2014 the franchise returned in 2021 backed by determined supporters and renewed purpose. The comeback was grounded in resilience and community belief, values that continue to shape the team as it heads into the 2026 season.

This year Remarkables Park Town Centre joins that journey as a sponsor for the first time.For the centre the partnership is a deliberate investment in regional confidence. While Queenstown is globally recognised its character is defined by its local community. Families, young people and long term residents shape the culture that visitors experience and return to.

Centre manager Nick Lambert says the decision to support the Nuggets felt like a natural extension of the centre’s role within the region.

“We see ourselves as more than a retail destination. We are a place where the community gathers, connects and builds momentum. Supporting the Otago Nuggets is about backing that same energy and resilience on a regional stage.”

“Professional sport provides a powerful focal point. It connects generations, inspires young athletes, and creates shared experiences that strengthen identity. In regions like ours communities do not simply watch teams. They carry them.”

As the 2026 season begins for the Otago Nuggets Remarkables Park Town Centre’s sponsorship signals clear intent. To support grassroots aspiration. To strengthen regional visibility. To stand behind a team whose story mirrors the resilience of the communities it represents. Because in Otago, pride is not measured by population size but by the strength of connection.