Nga¯puhi team off to Hawaii
Sixteen local teens will be travelling to Hawaii later this year to take part in an indigenous basketball tournament.
Two sides — eight boys and eight girls — will play under the Nga¯puhi banner in the under 19 section of the World Youth Basketball Makahiki Hou from December 26-30 in Kailua Kona.
The Nga¯puhi U19s will be the only teams from New Zealand teams at the event and can expect to be rubbing shoulders against the likes of other indigenous teams from China, Dubai, Australia, South Korea, America Samoa, Guam and Canada — nations which have played at previous event.
The players in both Nga¯puhi teams hail from the Mid North, Bay of Islands and Hokianga with the majority coming from O¯ kaihau College.
Alessha Norman, a parent of one of the players, said everyone was training hard under the guidance of coaches Mel and Del Rameka and looking forward to representing Aotearoa and the Far North at the event.
The players will also serve as cultural ambassadors at the upcoming tournament where, with all teams required to teach other sides another sport, Nga¯puhi will be showcasing the traditional Ma¯ori game of ki-orahi.
“I think it’s an amazing experience’ Normann says.
“First time out of the country for many of them. They are really awesome role models in their community and by going on this trip will inspire others to chase their dreams.”