Positive signs continue to show progress for New Zealand women’s basketball
Kia Ora and happy spring to everyone in New Zealand.
It’s been a while since the last update (but don’t worry, more written pieces are in the tank coming your way in the next month or so), but this special-edition post follows some exciting developments from the past couple months for women’s basketball in Aotearoa.
So without further ado let the excitement commence. But first a drum roll please…
The first piece of great news: The Tall Ferns have a new naming sponsor! Fans and players can officially refer to them as the Sky Sport Tall Ferns now, and this is the first time in years the team has had a naming sponsor. Basketball New Zealand was delighted to share that they’re continuing their relationship with Sky Sports, which includes televising the Tall Ferns games.
SKY’s Sport Relationship Manager Cathryn Oliver told Basketball New Zealand: “Sky is committed to supporting and enhancing local sports teams, and our sponsorship of the Tall Ferns follows our support for the Phoenix, Warriors women, the Kiwis, the Kiwi Ferns, the Junior Kiwis and the Sky Sport Breakers.”
Not only will the games be televised on Sky Sport, but they’ve also been working with Maori TV on getting those games streamed as well, as they did in last month’s FIBA Asia Cup. While games used to be covered to a large extent on social media, now there’s greater access for those who want to watch games with a clear demand for it.
That feat deserves some claps, don’t you think?
Keeping with the Tall Ferns news, it was also announced Thursday that the Sky Sport Tall Ferns will be playing at home for the first time since 2015 as part of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying series.
That’s right, folks, they’re coming home!
Hometown fans will be able to cheer on their team in person against Korea, China and the Philippines November 14–17 at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.
The event is shaping up to be just as amazing for fans as it is for the players. After all, how amazing is it to show the New Zealand pride worldwide?
“As one of our fastest growing sports, the tournament is an ideal platform to encourage more women and girls to participate in sport and active recreation, and also take up leadership in sport, which Aotearoa New Zealand has a strong focus on,” Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford told Basketball New Zealand.
It’s awesome to see local and international governing bodies support these women, and for them to recognize the rate at which the sport is growing.
Speaking of growing the sport of basketball, a shout out to Lisa Wallbutton for becoming the new Tall Ferns manger. The former New Zealand star jumped right in and accompanied the team to Bengaluru, India for the FIBA Asia Cup. A star in her own right, Wallbutton debuted for the Tall Ferns in 2005 and went on to win a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as a trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Following her move to Perth, Australia she worked with the Australia’s Under-17 team but upon learning of her return to her native country, asked about opportunities right away.
She told Basketball New Zealand: “When I finished playing I always had aspirations to come back and manage the Tall Ferns one day and be involved at the elite level. I love the team environment and love the Tall Ferns so that is what has drawn me back.”
Her addition to an already robust group including coach Guy Molloy and assistant coaches Aik Ho and Jody Cameron is sure to further enhance the elite level of talent this team has to offer. Her international expertise and strong representation of what the community is all about is sure take them to new heights. Welcome back, Lisa!
Lastly, have a read on youngest (but biggest) fans that accompanied the team on the most recent tour to the Fiba Asia Cup (three and five months old to be exact). Ashleigh Karaitiana and Natalie Taylors brought along their daughters, Kalea and Charlie, along to India and I think it’s safe to say the babies were in a good spot watching their mums battle it out against some of the world’s top teams. Regardless of the final standings (fifth place is still pretty good), these mums really do it all. Three claps for them!
Safe to say lots of good things are in store for everyone down the pipe. But in the meantime, many WBC and Tall Fern women are starring for respective teams in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) which tips off this weekend so expect to see some content from that.
Here’s to a successful hump day and always, New Zealand women’s basketball is important!
L xx
