http://www.whai.basketball/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.whai.basketball en-us Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:15:36 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/149079/season-finale-semi-final-valor-vs-saints/ On Sunday, July 13, in a thrilling showdown at Wellington’s TSB Arena, our upstart Tauranga Whai squad faced the mighty Wellington Saints in the NZ NBL Semi-Final. Undaunted by the challenge, the boys gave it their all—but ultimately fell 93–68 to a powerhouse Saints team led by Nick Marshall (22 pts, 11 rebs, 6 ast) and Hyrum Harris (20 pts, 6 rebs, 4 ast). A Season to Be Proud Of From just 9‑11 in the regular season, we surged into the playoffs, showcasing resilience and heart .We spli... Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:25:08 +1200 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post149079 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/148387/whai-break-through-a-statement-win-sends-us-to-the-semi-finals/ When the regular season wrapped up, there was one nagging thought in the back of our minds: We never got the Airs.Across two seasons, we’d registered wins over every other team in the Sal’s NBL—except one. The Taranaki Airs. They had been the final piece of the puzzle, the one team that had always had our number.So when the cards fell just right and the Eliminator Final handed us a showdown with the Airs—on the biggest stage yet—it felt like fate. A chance to not only advance in the pl... Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:57:03 +1200 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post148387 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/146707/join-the-journey-become-a-whai-player-sponsor/ We’re inviting local businesses to get behind our wāhine toa by sponsoring individual players in our women’s team for the 2025 season. These women are role models on and off the court. They compete at the highest level, inspire young athletes in our community, and bring the fast, fun, and fearless style of Whai basketball to life.Why become a player sponsor?Personal connection – Your business name is attached to a specific player. You’re not just a sponsor — you’re part of their jou... Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:48:04 +1200 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post146707 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/145614/whai-basketball-seeking-coach-for-mens-programme-lead/ At Whai Basketball, we’re building more than teams—we’re shaping future leaders, thinkers, and adaptable athletes. We’re looking for a highly capable coach to take on the role of Men’s Programme Lead, providing leadership across our men’s programmes while actively coaching at both community and professional levels.This is a hands-on coaching role where you will lead from the front—working directly with athletes in our Academy, coaching within our professional teams, and influencing... Mon, 19 May 2025 18:23:14 +1200 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post145614 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/143964/from-academy-to-the-top-job-tane-bennett-named-whai-tauihi-head-coach-for-2025/ 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... Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:00:09 +1200 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post143964 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/143224/basketball-bay-of-plenty-nbl-team-whai-visit-schools-ahead-of-historic-first-rotorua-game/ Last week, a handful of Whai players visited schools around Rotorua to roll out the initiative Whai in the Community in association with the Rotorua Basketball Association (RBA).Whai Basketball co-founder John Miller said community was at the heart of everything they did at Whai Basketball.Read the full story here...https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/basketball-bay-of-plenty-nbl-team-whai-visit-schools-ahead-of-historic-first-rotorua-game/TQHEFDFQI5BKFOZR7EGW2UEXQY/... Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post143224 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/134423/whai-basketballers-shake-rotorua-for-historic-game/ An NZNBL team is “making the dream feel real” for aspiring youth ahead of tonight’s milestone first-time home game in Rotorua.The Tauranga Whai men’s team have started their second season in the National Basketball League (NZNBL), and are making their presence known in the wider Bay of Plenty.Last week, a handful of Whai players visited schools around Rotorua to roll out the initiative Whai in the Community in association with the Rotorua Basketball Associat... Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post134423 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/143230/basketball-ashley-joens--from-wnba-to-playing-for-bay-of-plenty/ Ashley Joens has played for WNBA teams the Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury. But in the WNBA off-season she had two simple requests – a league with a shorter season and a gym she could get in all the time. A team in Tauranga came to the party. Kaitlyn Morrell reports.Ashley Joens had never been to New Zealand until she signed with the Tauranga Whai as an import for the 2024 season – and dominated the league.She was the top point scorer, top ... Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post143230 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/143229/tauranga-basketball-star-overcomes-adversity/ Lara McSpadden hasn’t let diabetes stop her from doing what she loves most — playing basketball.Coming to New Zealand from Australia as an import for the 2024 Tauihi women’s professional league season, Tauranga Whai centre McSpadden is one of the league’s leaders in second-chance points, defensive rebounds and overall rebounds.She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2006 when she was 7 and got into playing basketball at the age of 12, debuting professionally in 2016... Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post143229 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/post/143227/type-1-diabetes-tauranga-basketball-star-lara-mcspadden-overcomes-adversity/ Lara McSpadden hasn’t let diabetes stop her from doing what she loves most — playing basketball.Coming to New Zealand from Australia as an import for the 2024 Tauihi women’s professional league season, Tauranga Whai centre McSpadden is one of the league’s leaders in second-chance points, defensive rebounds and overall rebounds.She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2006 when she was 7 and got into playing basketball at the age of 12, debuting professionally in 2016... Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.whai.basketball/blog/#post143227