Teams show skills at basketball contest
Iwi sponsors Ma¯ori basketball teams
Nga¯ti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated sponsored seven individuals and eight teams to participate in the 2020 National Ma¯ori Basketball Tournament held in Rotorua in January.
Reports are coming in with joy from those who took part.
In a sponsorship report received from the Nga¯ti Kahungunu ki Ahuriri U19 Tama team, the report indicated that the boys enjoyed another opportunity to showcase Nga¯ti Kahungunu Iwi in the sports arena. Supporting mum Cilla Te Kira said, “The boys met Ngapuhi (coached by Kaleb Edwards) in the grand final, only to lose by one point.”
“It was such an entertaining final and the boys fought to the very end with three continuing on with injuries.” They came home with silver medals, which is an awesome effort.
Four teams represented Nga¯ti Kahungunu ki Ta¯maki nui-a-Rua this year after their first taste of victory at their first entry in the 2019 tournament when the U15 boys team returned with gold medals.
“This year the U13 boys team came home with the gold and our U15 team came home with a bronze,” says Melodie Grace — Administrator for Ta¯maki nui-a-Rua Taiwhenua.
Heretaunga Ma¯ori Basketball Club representative Jacqueline (Jaki) Smiler, delivered a report for all of their teams. She said that the highlight is always seeing Ma¯ori gather from all over Aotearoa for such a fantastic sporting event. Manaakitanga, friendship and good sportsmanship is always fostered at these events.
These events are not just about sport, they are about
giving all participants a sense of mana.
“These events are not just about sport, they are about giving all participants a sense of mana as they represent their wha¯nau, hapu¯ and iwi. Most of our rangatahi come from low income areas and are positive role models to their peers which has built positive relationships within our communities,” says Jaki.
Nga¯ti Kahungunu Iwi
Incorporated supports strong, vibrant, healthy wha¯nau, hapu¯. We commend all wha¯nau of all ages supporting this kaupapa by getting out there and being active.