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A new professional league has been lauded as “massive” for women’s basketball in New Zealand.
Dunedin-based former Tall Fern Lisa Wallbutton gave that endorsement as Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa was launched yesterday.
The new league, which replaces the old women’s National Basketball League, will put women on equal pay footing with the men’s NBL.
It is hoped that will help lure New Zealand’s top players home, while teams will also be able to sign three imports each.
The Dunedin-based Southern Hoiho join four other teams from around the country.
They will be on court when the league tips off on June 29, facing a strong Mainland Pouakai team in Christchurch in the opening game.
Wallbutton, who played more than 100 matches for the Tall Ferns and has joined the Hoiho as team manager, said it represented a significant moment for the sport.
“I think it’s a pathway for the Tall Ferns, particularly,” she said.
“I think it’s going to be really important for the national women’s programme. I think it’s just great basketball can be seen in New Zealand, as well.
“In the past there hasn’t been that many high-level games played here. I can only think of a handful of Tall Ferns games played on New Zealand soil in the past 10-15 years.
“I think for young girls to be able to see amazing female athletes playing at home is important for the development of the game, and women’s sport in general.”
While no signings were yet confirmed, a group of locally-based players had begun training.
Included in that group is Tall Fern Zoe Richards, as well as former Tall Ferns Nicole Ruske and Samara Gallaher.
Olivia O’Neill, Brittany Richards, Aleisha Ruske, Bronwyn Kjestrup and Natalie Ivamy are also in that mix.
Wallbutton, who has lived and played club basketball in Dunedin since 2020, felt the set-up in Otago and previous work with the Gold Rush led well into a professional team.
She also said there was plenty of talent around to have a competitive team.
Being able to play at such a high level at home, while getting paid, would be significant for those players.
Up until now, chasing that dream had meant spending years overseas.
That had come in the form of over a decade playing in both Australia and Belgium for Wallbutton.
“I think it’s amazing,” she said.
“I wouldn’t change my basketball journey at all, but it’s certainly challenging having to uproot and move overseas.
“It’s really great they can stay at home, play at that high level and filter in to that Tall Ferns programme.
“There’ll be an international window on the back of the season as well. I think it’s just massive for women’s basketball in New Zealand to have this pathway at home now.”
The Mainland Pouakai released a strong initial group of signed players yesterday.
It is headlined by Tall Ferns big Tessa Boagni, while fellow Tall Ferns Mary Goulding, Lauryn Hippolite and Ella Fotu also feature.
Veteran Tall Fern Micaela Cocks has signed with Northern, her first time playing at home in over 15 years, while Ashleigh Kelman-Poto joins her.
The Bay of Plenty-based Mid North Whai and Wellington-based Tokomanawa Queens round out the teams.
June 29: Mainland Pouakai, Christchurch
July 3: Northern, Dunedin
July 8: Mid North Whai, Queenstown
July 10: Tokomanawa Queens, Wellington
July 15: Northern, Auckland
July 20: Queens, Dunedin
July 24: Whai, Dunedin
July 26: Northern, Auckland
Aug 1: Pouakai, Queenstown
Aug 3: Queens, Porirua
Aug 7: Pouakai, Dunedin
Aug 21: Whai, Tauranga
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