Lay-ups, block outs, bank shots, rebounds and dunks are set to become familiar terms at Whakatane Hospital as a homemade basketball court brings health benefits to many.

A basketball court and hoop which cost less than $3000 to build has opened next to the hospital's Mental Health Ward, to the delight of clients.

Registered Nurse Cassandra Phillips, left, looks on as Te Pou Kokiri's Paora Morrunga shoots for the hoop and Occupational Therapist Gaye Brandford awaits the rebound.

'The idea came from our clients,” says Bay of Plenty District Health Board occupational therapist Gaye Brandford.

'We have a lot of young people come through the ward and some of them raised the idea of having a basketball hoop. That was the starting point. I put a proposal together which was approved by the Regional Clinical Coordinator Karl Christoffersen. Then Neil Mower and Alan Brown from our Property Services Department really ran with it.”

Gaye says the benefits of physical exercise were well-known.

'We felt this would provide a fun physical opportunity for them with all the health benefits that go with it.

'There's the movement, coordination, teamwork and just the fact of getting outside and interacting with one another which provides that mental stimulus,” she adds.

'We've already had a lot of very positive comments from people, saying how good it was to work up a sweat. Who knows one day there may be a future NBA Star who has used our hoop.”

Whakatane Hospital facilities manager Neil Mower says his team had enjoyed the challenge of creating the basketball square and hoop.

'The staff on the ward had looked into buying one but we said hang on a minute we can make one. So we researched it all, taking into account all the associated safety considerations, and ended up making it out of material we had in stock, including material like tube out of an old boiler.”

Mental Health Ward clinical nurse team leader Jo Olsen appreciates everyone's efforts in bringing the project to fruition.

'I would just like to say how much I appreciate everyone's hard work, our team, our clients, and Property Services for making this happen. It should bring a lot of benefits and fun to our clients for a long time to come.”