Whai Basketball is thrilled to announce that Tane Bennett has been appointed as Head Coach of the Whai Tauihi team for the 2025 season.

Tane’s appointment is more than a promotion—it’s a full-circle moment. His journey started with the establishment of the Whai Academy, where he poured himself into developing local talent. That passion and skill set caught the attention of our professional teams, leading to assistant coaching roles with both the Tauihi and NBL squads. These experiences gave Tane a front-row seat to the high-performance environment we’re building here in Tauranga.

In 2023, Tane took the reins as Head Coach of our Rapid League team. Just like Rapid League offers emerging players a chance to develop before stepping into the spotlight, it gave Tane the platform to test his coaching philosophies, game plans, and leadership under real pressure.

But what really sets Tane apart is the way he’s combined education with action. His academic background in Sports Performance Analysis, and the insights from his studies gave our 2024 Tauihi team a strategic edge en route to a Championship win. His attention to detail in scouting, performance breakdowns, and in-game analysis helped elevate the whole programme.

Tane also understands that coaching is about more than basketball. Two years ago, he proactively engaged a leadership mentor, learning how to manage a team not just on the court but through the emotional highs and lows of a long season.

This isn’t just a win for Tane—it’s a win for Tauranga. He’s a local guy with deep roots in our region, committed to growing the game and representing our city with pride.

Welcome to the top job, Coach Bennett. Let’s go back-to-back.