HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - LEON HENRY
LEON HENRY
PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER / PROPERTY MANAGER
SAMOAN, NIUEAN, COOK ISLANDER
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Leon Henry is a professional basketball player turned property and events manager, he shares his story with us here, from his upbringing in 'South Central Auckland,' to the highs of the basketball court to how the generations before him influence the work he does post-professional sport.
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I am Samoan, Niuean, Cook Island decent & hail from what I like to call "South Central Auckland" I had my early childhood years in Central then moved back South where my grandparents first migrated to when they arrived from the islands in the late 1960s.
You've had a long career in professional basketball - can you tell us about a highlight of your career that stands out to you as well as a time that you found challenging?
I think for me the NZ Breakers Three Peat, people don't speak of this much anymore but we were the first professional sporting organization to win in an Australian competition. In my opinion the Aussies are more advanced in the sporting fields with the resources & funding they have & we are such a small country on a world scale, so to achieve those championships consecutively was awesome. The challenging times would have been time away from loved ones, missing out on birthdays, Christmas & time lost with family & friends. Sometimes that sacrifice is challenging as a sportsperson.
What is one piece of advice you've been given that has stayed with you?
Never fold, trust in the process as the results will flourish when they are meant to.
You've also branched out into property, management and events - what were the pathways that led you to these different career options?
I think for me I am very lucky to have met a lot of people through sport who are behind the scenes & in these fields. Its always been intriguing to me to upscale in life, as sports is a part of your journey, so when that ends what field or industry are you passionate about. For me these three fields have been great & all learning experiences trying to gain further knowledge & continue to be a student in society. It definitely isn't easy & takes time & commitment.
Why is it important for our young Pasifika athletes to have something to fall back on or a plan for Life after Sport while they're still playing?
I think it's huge because there aren't enough resources around educating our up & coming talent & current athletes in the Pasifika community. So being able to educate yourself around life after sport is a must. We are growing in this sector with more of our elders being able to give back so that's a blessing to see those figures teach the next in line about accountability & looking towards your future post your sporting career.
How has your upbringing & culture shaped you into the man you are today?
Great question as I find our Pasifika families have a lot of similarities in our upbringing. I come from a broken family, that was a proud through & through Pacific Island family. I'm grateful for my mum who was the rock always holding us down as my siblings were young at the time to understand the past living conditions we were in. But I am thankful for being brought up that way as it built me up to be the person I am today. Nothing in life is sweet, so you have to get out there and chase it.
Who or what inspires you?
The first generation Pacific Island arrivals into New Zealand from the 1940s/50s/60s inspire me & make me feel grateful for them & how they have given me an opportunity to excel in this country. The stories I hear from my grandparents on sailing across the pacific ocean to Aotearoa humble me & keep me grounded in today's society. Never take their experience in finding equality in life for granted.
What do you love about being a Pasifika man today?
I would like to say today I am a witness to greatness coming & greatness of current from our Pasifika community. What I observe & witness is this next generation flourishing with the access, the resources to overcome the boundaries that have been set, but for our people to continue to walk over & break the mold. We are a special kind & one of one in my opinion, our hearts are big with pride, our families as strong as our coconut trees back in the islands, nothing can stop the growth and the magnitude of our people, Polynesian people to the world!
If you or your family are selling your property in Auckland, please touch base with me as I am more than happy to assist you & your family. Or pop into the office for a chat, Barfoot & Thompson Mangere!