Light shines for women’s league

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The new dawn of women’s professional basketball in New Zealand will shine a light in Gisborne tomorrow.

Mel Bennett, head coach of the Whai women’s national basketball league team, Bay of Plenty Stingrays franchise coaching director Alex Stojkovic and BoP Basketball Foundation Academy coaches Tane Bennett and Igor Cvjetkovic will be at the YMCA tomorrow.

Their free session, from 1pm to 3pm, will double as a coaches education and athlete session on-court.

New Zealand under-17 women’s coach Bennett’s geographical domain with Whai is the mid-north.

“Gisborne is within Whai’s boundaries,” she said.

“We’re here to show our commitment, offer our services and help to grow the game with coach education and have a look at some of the women’s players.

“Our academy coaches will be on the floor to explain the concepts and actions (defensive coverage on the ball, skill-sets) with game-focused activities, going over our style of play, which everyone will see in July.

“We’re excited to make the trip and work with the Gisborne Basketball Association, and also to reconnect and get around the community.

“We want to build a strong brand in the region.

“So if you’re under 17 or under 19, or a female player, and have suitable footwear and a drink bottle, we want you on the floor.”

GBA chairwoman Kylie Turuwhenua-Tapsell is delighted that coaches of this calibre are coming to Gisborne.

“Mel’s passion for driving community involvement in the game is fantastic,” she said.

“Whai-BOP aim to partner with the GBA to look at a Stingrays Academy as a pathway for our female and male players that is a lot closer to home than in bigger centres.”

The five-team, 12-week women’s national basketball league and final four will be televised live on Sky Sport.