Northern have been unveiled as one of five new Women’s National Basketball League teams. The governance of the Northern team is a partnership between Harbour Basketball and the Dill Family. 

Northern will be one of five franchises competing in a brand new women’s national basketball league – announced last week as ‘GJ Gardiner Homes Tautihi’. The inaugural Tautihi season is expected to attract top talent to Aotearoa, garner New Zealand women’s basketball increased exposure, and better prepare the Sky Sport Tall Ferns for international competition A 12-game regular season will be followed by a Final Four with every game broadcast live on Sky Sport.

Northern’s first signings are hugely exciting with Tall Ferns great Micaela Cocks agreeing terms with the club while another Olympian, Jody Cameron, will be Head Coach.

“Micaela is a legend and her contributions to the game are under-appreciated because the bulk of her career has been played off-shore,” said Jody.

“The vast experience she has will be of huge value to the team, especially the younger players who will see first-hand the professionalism and preparation Micaela provides, on and off court.”

The former Harbour and Takapuna Grammar School representative is one of New Zealand’s greatest ever basketballers and arguably one of the country’s finest female athletes. Her achievements include:

• 2008 Olympian
• Double Commonwealth Games medallist (2006 and 2018)
• Most capped Tall Fern of all-time with 141 caps during a 17-year career
• A gold medallist at the 2018 3x3 FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup
• Three-time Australian WNBL Championship winner with Townsville Fire
• Most WNBL games played by a Townsville Fire player – 240 appearances
• A standout 4-year career at Oregon University (NCAA Division I)

Micaela flew back to Auckland from her home in Townsville for the team launch last Wednesday. She is delighted to be continuing her career to New Zealand having not played in our domestic competition since 2006.

“I’m beyond excited to be coming home, it will be very special and I’m thankful for the opportunity.

 “I have always wanted to get home to play but before Hazel was born I was working full-time and with my other basketball commitments it was just too difficult. 

“At this stage of my career I think I have more to give back to the grassroots of where it all started for me. I want to not only be a role model to young inspiring athletes but help build a competitive pathway that young girls want to be part of and compete in.”

In addition, Northern have signed experienced forward Ashleigh Kelman-Poto, the 2020 NBL Grand Final MVP. 

“Ash will bring stability and toughness to the team, she is a shining example of what grit looks like. She’s a late bloomer, is still knocking on the Tall Ferns door, and I expect her game to go up another level this season,” said Jody.

Jody, Harbour Basketball’s Women’s Development Officer and also a current Tall Ferns Assistant Coach, is looking forward to the upcoming Tautihi season.

“It’s terrific that the players will be paid and we will have parity with the Men’s NBL but it’s not before time.

“I can’t wait to get the team together and get the season underway,” Cameron added.

Northern will be making further player and organizational announcements in the coming weeks.

Northern open their 2022 Tautihi campaign on July 3^rd when they travel to Dunedin to take on Southern Hoiho that will likely have former Harbour standout Bronwyn Kjestrup suiting up and another ex-Westlaker Lisa Wallbutton acting as Team Manager.

In overseas news Penina Davidson and Melbourne Boomers face an uphill battle to claim the 2022 Australian WNBL title. In the first game in a best-of-three Grand Final series the Boomers were beaten at home 98-72 by an inspired Perth Lynx side.

Game 2 is in Perth on Wednesday.

Further afield Isaac Fotu is averaging 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as his Japanese club Tochigi Brex boast a 30-13 record. The Japanese top division is divided into East and West Conferences with Brex currently second in the East. 

Matt Freeman has recently had a couple of strong game as his German club Karlsruhe Lions recorded back-to-back wins to move to 16-12.

Matt had 17 points and 7 rebounds in a 90-84 win against Nuemberg and 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a 102-82 success against Bochum.

Karlsruhe are in seventh place on the German Second Division ladder.

Tai Webster is playing for Lithuanian club Zalgiris that head the Lithuanian League table with a 22-2 record. Things aren’t going quite so well in the Euroleage with Zalgiris at 7-20. Tai is averaging 5.7 points and 2.1 assists per game.