Kalani Purcell ready for challenge as new Tall Ferns’ captain
For Tall Fern Kalani Purcell, age is just a number. At 24 years old, Purcell was last week named captain of the women’s national side, one of the youngest players entrusted with the role.
More impressively, Purcell was tasked with leading the team through one of their most important campaigns to date — the Tokyo Olympics pre-qualifying tournament.
Taking over from her older sister, veteran Natalie Taylor, she said the announcement was a shock.
“I was fighting back tears,” she said. “Being the captain of the national team is huge, and such an amazing and enjoyable experience.”
What she may lack in years, Purcell makes up with maturity on the court.
Having made her Tall Ferns debut in 2013, aged just 18, Purcell boasts a wealth of international basketball experience.
She most recently played for the Melbourne Boomers in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League and it’s also not the first time she’s skippered the New Zealand side.
Purcell led the team at the Asia Cup and to victory at July’s William Jones Cup after ringing endorsements from teammates impressed head coach Guy Molloy.
But with Taylor, who co-led the team alongside Micaela Cocks to claim bronze at last year’s Commonwealth Games, back at full fitness after having a baby, Purcell didn’t expect to retain the role.
“I thought my sister Nat would’ve been the captain because she has been before me. She has so much experience and does such an amazing job,” Purcell said.
“[But] they have faith in me and believe that I can lead, and so I will try my best to do so.”
Purcell’s appointment was fully endorsed by Taylor, who said she would ensure she and the other senior players in the team shared the workload.
“I’m proud to have handed that mantle to my little sister and will continue to be a mentor figure as needed,” Taylor said. “I’m excited to watch her develop into the great leader of our national team that I know she’s capable of.
“Micaela [Cocks] and I still maintain that leadership role and often say to each other that while Kalani is the captain, full responsibility of leadership doesn’t fall on her shoulders. We try and share that throughout the entire team, people just need to be accountable and responsible.”
Purcell made her first outing since retaining the captaincy on Thursday night, when the Tall Ferns played their opening game of the prequalifying tournament and first home game since 2015.
They claimed a massive 111-54 win over the Philippines at Trusts Arena in Waitakere but a 94-71 loss to China last night has left them facing Olympic elimination.
The Tall Ferns must win today’s 5.30pm game against South Korea — who upset China on Thursday — by more than 16 points to finish as one of the top two teams who advance to the next stage of qualifying,