Help Lydon to play on the world stage!

Hi there,

I wish to compete in the 3x3 World Tour in Manila, Philippines. We are also taking the team to New York to compete in a tournament at the world famous Rucker Park.

It is no secret I'm getting older and at the age of 25 I'm around about my athletic prime. Before it gets too late, I'd like to see just how far I can get in the sport of basketball.

I have been selected to represent Auckland, New Zealand in Manila. If we finish in the top two we qualify for the 3x3 World Tour finals in Abu Dhabi, held later this year.

We are also taking the team to compete in a tournament held at Rucker Park in New York. I've never been there before, but to play on that court - arguably the most famous outdoor court in the world, would be a dream come true.

3x3 is the largest urban teamsport in the world! It is growing very quickly and has high hopes that the sport will be included in the Olympics at some stage in the near future.

There is only one way to get included in the tour, and that is too accumulate points in the FIBA endorsed tournaments throughout the year. If you are in the top 20 in your country, then you can be selected for the team to compete in the World Tour.

Last year was my first involvement with the tour and it was quite simply by luck. I got a call on the Friday before the tournament saying that a few people couldn't make the tournament because of injuries, and that I was next on the list. They left on the Monday which was 3 days away.

Of course I had to say yes because this was an opportunity that may never come again if I said no.

I said yes and the rest is history. Now I've got a shot to place higher then we did last year, and with more time to prepare there is no reason not to!

QUALIFICATIONS

I am ranked number four in New Zealand for 3x3 according to 3x3planet.com

****now ranked number two!

COSTS

$3000 - Manila, 6 days including flights, accommodation, travel, food

$5000 - New York, 14 days including flights, accommodation, travel

WHY HELP?

There is no way I'm going to be able to afford to get to either of these competitions without your help.

For every single person who donates, thank you so much! I am going to handwrite everybody's names on the back of my jumper and take you with me. This is to remind me that I'm not just playing for myself but for every one of you!

If you donate more than $100 you are amazing. I want to give you something extra. I will make you personalised videos of the trip and the lead-up, from a behind the scenes perspective. You will get to see more than the other people that follow me on Facebook.

If you donate more than $200 you are crazy. I will never be able to thank you enough and all my blood, sweat and tears will be for you. I want to show you how much it means to me, so for you special ones - I will give you the personalised videos + I will take a printed picture of you with me and have you involved in photos with me.

For those of you who donate more than $300. Well... I don't know how I could physically show you how much that means to me. I will give you everything that has been previously mentioned + a piece of my playing gear. People like you are the reason I get to go to these tournaments, so I would be honoured if you took a piece of my uniform.