Hawkes Bay Today 28th September 2010

Paul Henare has made one of the toughest decisions of his career - to leave one family so he can head home to spend more time with his own while staying in the game he loves.

The foundation Burger King New Zealand Breaker has confirmed that this season will be his last in a Breakers singlet before he heads home to Hawke's Bay to begin the next phase in his life, one where basketball will continue to play a pivotal role. The popular guard made the announcement at a pre-season Breakers function in Auckland last Friday night.

At just 31 years of age, Henare has decided to call time on his career in the Australian National Basketball League as a player so he can take up a fulltime coaching role with the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks. The move comes at a relatively young age but Henare says it feels right and the offer from his hometown is too good to refuse.

"I am so proud to have represented the Breakers club for the whole of my career in the Australian National [Basketball] League.

"I have seen the club grow into so much more than a team; it is without question now an organisation that others look up to, both for our on court performances but also the strong values that the club is built on.

"I am lucky though to have the opportunity to coach the Hawks in the Bartercard NBL and more than that be working fulltime in the game helping to recognise and develop local talent in this great game, it is a dream job to be fair."

Henare will take up the head coach role with the Hawks in the Bartercard National Basketball League (NBL) from next season and work fulltime in basketball in a year round role that has a big focus on youth development and talent identification.

However Henare admits leaving an organisation that he has spent most of his adult life with will be tough.

"There is no doubt the end of the season will bring mixed emotions.

This club has been such a constant part of my life for the past seven years and I have one more season to give my all.

"Not that I need any extra motivation to give everything I have, I will continue this season to do whatever is asked of me by the coaches and the team to help us achieve the ultimate goal of winning a championship."

Breakers directors Paul and Liz Blackwell spoke highly of Henare as a person of outstanding character and strength.

"Pauli epitomises what we want the Breakers to stand for - loyal, honest, hard working, and team focused.

"His willingness to do anything required for the organisation has been hugely appreciated," said Paul Blackwell.

Head coach Andrej Lemanis spoke of a player that is often undervalued by those outside the organisation but highly regarded by those that matter most, his peers.

"Pauli is the epitome of a Breaker. He works hard every day, puts the team before himself and represents the club with distinction off the court.

"In my time with him I have seen him grow from a team member into a leader of men. He has continued to grow and develop both on and off the court and has continued to find new ways to contribute to the success of the team.

"He has faced plenty of critics in his time - all of who show their true lack of understanding of basketball team dynamics - every team needs a Pauli - a loyal teammate who believes in the cause and will give his all to it - a person who sacrifices for the good of the group.

"It has been a pleasure being part of Pauli's journey over the past five years and I'm privileged and proud to share this final year with him. I hope we can send him out with the one thing left for him to achieve - a championship - he deserves it."

Henare has played his club basketball in New Zealand, Yugoslavia and Turkey and first played for the Tall Blacks in 2000. Heading into his eighth and final season with the Breakers, Henare has an impressive array of statistics to his name, featuring in the top five all-time Breakers in many categories and leading the number of games played.