Whai Basketball

11/09/2026

🖊️ Player Signing | CARLA PITMAN

Carla played in WNBL for 2 years with the Flames. She was the defensive player of the year for flames in 2024/25. Earlier this year she was awarded MVP and defensive player of the year for Mt. Gambier.

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"Carla brings elite experience for an athlete so early in her basketball career. On the offensive end, she can create for herself and others. On the defensive end, she can guard multiple positions. Her versatility is the ultimate weapon for our new look team."

🗣️ Carla
I chose Whai for the opportunity to be part of such a competitive and supportive environment. I’d heard so many great things about the club, that it truly felt like the right fit both on and off the court. I’m really excited to grow with this group, bring energy every game, and be a part of a team that’s pushing for another successful season!

🩷 Welcome to the Whai Family Carla 🩷

10/09/2026

🖊️ Development Player Signing | CARLY OHIA

Carly has established herself through the Waikato and New Zealand basketball pathways, representing her country in the 3x3 space and competing across multiple national and international competitions.
Carly joins Whai ready to bring her experience, leadership, and competitive edge to the professional stage.

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"I believe that Carly has flown under the radar in her career when you consider what she has done in the game already. There is a versatility to her skillset that fits perfectly with the roster that we have put together this year. We look forward to facilitating this next chapter in Carly's career."

🗣️ Carly
For me, choosing Whai was an easy decision. Being close to home and joining a club with such a strong whānau-based culture made it the perfect fit for this next chapter. I’m incredibly excited and grateful to take this next step with Whai, and I can’t wait to contribute to the team, embrace the culture, and experience everything that comes with being part of this club.

🩷 Looking forward to seeing you shine with us Carly 🩷

09/09/2026

The girls are baaaack....

Today was a fun one!!

📸 Media Day with the squad. So many laughs. And some very interesting yarns we'll share with you soon 🤭

🩷 More to come.

09/09/2026

🖊️ Development Player Signing | KEIJA MIRINGAORANGI

Keija has been playing ball for Tauranga Girls’ College and has been selected for the BBNZ U18 Junior Tall Ferns team, travelling to Malaysia in October for the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup.

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"Keija is one of the athletes of her generation that just lives in the gym! When you add her work ethic to her natural feel for the game, its obvious why she has compiled such a list of impressive achievements in such a short career."

🗣️ Keija
I chose Whai because it’s where I first got a taste of women’s league basketball, training with the team in its inaugural season. Ever since then, I have pictured myself wearing the Whai jersey. I’m excited to play the Whai style of basketball under Coach Tane and continue developing my game before heading to college in the USA. I’m also looking forward to being part of the incredible culture the club has built and learning from some of the best players in the Tauihi League.

🩷 So good to have you with us Keija 🩷

@._keija._

08/09/2026

🖊️ Development Player Signing | ISABELLA GILLARD

New Zealand Junior Tall Fern 2025 and 2026 + 3x3 Secondary School National Champion. Issy has played top level basketball!

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"Issy has put tremendous work in to her game over the last 2 seasons and has received national recognition accordingly. Her size and length compliments the other additions to our squad this season. Issy will step up from a training partner last season to a development player this year"

🗣️ Issy
I am so excited to be apart of this team and continue to grow and develop with such great players and coaches!

🩷 We're excited to have you with us Issy 🩷

07/09/2026

🖊️ Development Player Signing | RILEY McCLENAGHAN

Riley as won representative Nationals twice, was a 3x3 Secondary School National champion AND defensive player of the tournament at both secondary school and rep nationals.
She's also became a Junior Tall Fern in 2026.

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"Riley plays the game with a unique rhythm. Her quickness off the mark and her willingness to find her teammates gives her an offensive edge. Add her ability to pressure the ball full court and she has a skill set that is ready to contribute."

🗣️ Riley
So excited for another season with the Whai. It’s such a privilege to be given these opportunities to grow, learn, and develop both as a player and as a person. Grateful for another season.

🩷 Proud to have you back with us Riley 🩷

.selela_

04/09/2026

🚨It's not long now until Tauranga's first home game of the 2026 season!!

👀 So, we thought lets make it interesting for everyone coming to the game...

🎫 When you purchase a FAMILY GA PASS to this game you will instantly go into the draw to 'WIN A GAME DAY UPGRADE'!

This means you and the fam could be watching Tauranga Whai vs Northern Kāhu COURTSIDE 😎

Get your FAMILY GA PASS here >> https://whai.flicket.co.nz/

An we look forward to a massive 1st game of the Whai season with you and your family.

You must have purchased your Family GA pass by 20th September to go in the draw. Winners will be notified of their UPGRADE on the 21st Sept.

🏀🔥 Watch the from last season.

01/09/2026

We pride ourself on giving young athletes the opportunity to learn, grow and shine through our Whai Academy ✨

🙌 Our mission is to develop players around existing basketball programmes through enhancing fundamentals, decision making, and helping athletes become better equipped to contribute in their team environments.

📚We also share our knowledge and experience from our coaches Tane Bennett & Sonny Tuaputa to help athletes prepare for opportunities at NBL, Tauihi, New Zealand age-group teams and beyond.

🤔 Who can trial?
Trials are open to athletes currently in Years 10–13 in 2026.

There will be two trial days available. It is recommended that you attend both trial days.

What do you learn at the Whai Academy?
Our training focuses on three key areas:
🏀 Skill development - building and refining fundamentals.
🏀 Concepts - developing basketball understanding and decision-making.
🏀 Play - applying skills and concepts in live play

What are we looking for in an Academy athlete?
☑️ Commitment - investment in to long-term development.�
☑️ Work rate - energy, intent and effort every session.�
☑️ Coachability - the ability to receive coaching, learn and apply it.

👀 Is the Whai Academy a pathway to NBL and Tauihi?

✅ Yes. The Whai Academy is one pathway into Whai NBL and Tauihi basketball.

However, Academy participation does not guarantee an opportunity in our professional programmes. Progression depends on an athlete's development, commitment, attitude and overall readiness.

👌 Our goal is to place every athlete in an environment where they can be supported while being challenged.

Register here >> https://www.whai.community/whai-academy/

For any more information email >> [email protected]

30/08/2026

🖊️ SIGNED | MAYA TAINGAHUE

Maya is a dynamic New Zealand combo guard who has risen through the ranks to represent the U23 National 3x3 team internationally and play professionally in Tauihi Basketball with us in 2024.

✅ Dynamic scorer
✅ High energy defensive intensity
✅ Elite basketball IQ

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"We believe that Maya has always possessed the physical tools to compete at this level. She has worked hard on her skill set in the last 2 years and I can sense her enthusiasm to make an impact in our new squad."

🗣️ Maya
As a local player, I chose Whai as I really connect with the team’s values. After coming back from a major injury, I’m excited to be back on the court, keep developing my game, and work towards another chip this upcoming season!

🩷 Welcome back to the Whai Family Maya 🩷

28/08/2026

🖊️ SIGNED | EVA LANGTON

Eva achieved a major career milestone by winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with the New Zealand 3x3 team.
We can't wait to see her bring that skillset to Whai!

✅ High game energy player
✅ Strong defensive game
✅ High basketball IQ

🗣️ Head Coach Tane Bennett
"Eva played an impactful role in our 2024 Championship run. Her floor spacing and defensive length make her an asset to any team. Having worked alongside Eva in past seasons, I know that she will bring an edge to this years squad."

🗣️ Eva
I’m super excited to be back with Whai this season and to be able to reconnect with a community that Whai has been building over the past 4 years. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get to Tauranga and start working for another great season!

🩷 Welcome back into the Whai Family Eva 🩷