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Whai Men's Head Coach - Matt Lacey

Introducing Matt

Matt has hit the ground running in his full-time role as Whai Mens NBL Coach. Matt brings with him a wealth of experience and a successful track record in Basketball.

Previously, he achieved tremendous success at Rosmini College, where he led the high school basketball programme to two National championships over the past 8 years. Matt's proven history of player development, has seen him help many of his players go on and excel in college basketball in the United States and professionally. You may even see some of his ex-players returning to play for him in the NBL in the years to come.

Currently, Matt serves as the Basketball New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks Coach and assists us with our Academy Elite Teams.

About Whai Basketball

Whai
1. (noun) stingray
2. (verb) to chase, persue, look for, aim at.

Whai is a Te Reo Māori word meaning Stingray. In Māori mythology, the Whai is kaitiaki (community guardians), protecting the areas where shellfish – the successful bounty – can be harvested. The Whai are a feature of the Tauranga moana (sea). Whai is also a verb in Te Reo Māori, meaning “to chase, pursue, or aim for.”

We are chasing, pursuing a vibrant and socially connected Tauranga City where young people have their horizon of possibility lifted.

We do this through our home games and community programmes.

We were deeply honored to have been gifted this name following extensive consultation and collaboration with Mana Whenua in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Rotorua, including kaumatua (elders) from Ngāti Pukenga, Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Raukawa ki Waikato, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Whakaue / Te Arawa and Ngāti Pikiao.

Our name represents our community connections and social purpose, and our partnership with Mana Whenua across the region.

Whai HQ is in Birch Avenue, Tauranga connecting us with our local Hapu Ngati Tamarawaho. The Kopurererua Street which runs close by was used as a training ground by young Māori seeking to catch kia. Keeping with the history of the area, Whai HQ is used today to help inspire, train and equipment young people for service in the community and prepare them for meaningful work.

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About Sal's NBL

The National Basketball League (NBL) has been at the forefront of men's basketball in New Zealand since its inception in 1982.

The league has served as a stepping stone for players like Kirk Penney, Steven Adams, and Torrey Craig, who went on to play in the NBA and other prominent leagues worldwide.

In the upcoming 2024 season, the Whai will proudly join the Sal's NBL, bringing the total number of teams in the league to 11.

All of its games will be broadcast on SKY Sport, providing fans across New Zealand with unparalleled access to the action. Furthermore, the league's reach extends far beyond national borders, with international audiences tuning in to watch games on ESPN, solidifying the NBL's position as a premier basketball competition with a truly global footprint.

The Whai Men's team will play all 2024 home games at Mercury Baypark.

Learn more about Sal's NBL

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About Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

History was made in 2022 with the G.J. Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League inaugural season. The league is made up of five regional teams, the Northern Kāhu, Whai Basketball, Tokomanawa Queens, Mainland Pouākai and Southern Hoiho.

All games are broadcast live on SKY Sport. Showcasing SKY Sport Tall Ferns, international stars and rising young Kiwis – Professional women’s basketball is here to stay.

Tauihi means “to soar” in Te Reo Māori.

The Whai Women's team finished 3rd in the competition in 2023.

In both of the first two seasons the Whai had the defensive player of the year on the team. In 2022 the award was won by Nikki Greene, while this year Mikayla Cowling won the prestigious award.

Teenage sensation Pahlyss Hokianga won Youth Player of the Year as well as Rapid League MVP.

In total 6 Whai players who took the court in 2023 are still in high school, showing the great pathway Whai provides for local up and coming players.

Learn more about Tauihi

Whai Basketball is deeply committed to community engagement through in-school visits, holiday camps and our Whai Academy, ensuring that basketball thrives at the grassroots level. The links below will allow you to navigate to our community programmes website.