The 2026 U18 National Championships saw all four teams deliver outstanding performances against the country’s best young talent. The Canterbury Boys A, were crowned 2026 National Champions after an exceptional week of basketball. The team continued to improve throughout the…
The 2026 U18 National Championships saw all four teams deliver outstanding performances against the country’s best young talent.
The Canterbury Boys A, were crowned 2026 National Champions after an exceptional week of basketball. The team continued to improve throughout the tournament, combining relentless defence, unselfish offence, exceptional shooting and composure under pressure to claim the title.
The Canterbury Girls A also produced an outstanding tournament, finishing fourth after a heartbreaking semifinal loss to Harbour in one of the games of the tournament. In a contest that went right down to the wire, the girls showed tremendous resilience and character before narrowly missing the opportunity to play for the national title. They responded professionally to finish fourth in a highly competitive field.
Canterbury’s depth was equally evident across the B teams. The Girls B enjoyed an excellent campaign to finish sixth nationally, consistently competing against higher-seeded opposition and demonstrating the strength of the Association’s development pathway. The Boys B battled hard throughout the week to secure 13th place, gaining invaluable experience that will serve them well as they continue their basketball journey.
Roma Tuimaunei was named Tournament Most Valuable Player after a dominant week controlling the paint at both ends of the floor. His physical presence, rebounding and interior scoring made him one of the tournament’s most influential players and a deserving MVP.
Benjamin Marsh was also recognised with selection in the Tournament All-Star Five after an exceptional championship, while Maniah Taefu earned Women’s Tournament All-Star Five honours following a consistently outstanding tournament.
Congratulations to all of our players, coaches and managers listed below on another outstanding national campaign.
Boys A
| Louis | Dowall |
| Benjamin | Habinshuti |
| Finn | Langrell |
| Eli | Lissaman |
| Elliott | Markillie |
| Benjamin | Marsh |
| Leonidas | Swainson |
| Sebastian | Thompson |
| Tawhiri | Cate |
| Roma | Tuimaunei |
Head Coach – Dave Langrell
Assistant Coach – Joe Hope Powell
Manager Blase Dowall
Boys B
| Zachary | Kelly |
| Finn | Kennett-Ditfort |
| Axel | Hayman |
| Hugo | Howes |
| Mataio | Ifopo-Togia |
| Noa | Smith |
| Lydian | Thompson |
| Jaejae | Greene |
| Max | Wallace |
| Jack | Le Warne |
| Head Coach | Pina | Lissaman |
| Assistant Coach | James | Lissaman |
| Manager | Philip | Hayman |
Girls A
| Lucy | Cliff |
| Ruby | Cutbush |
| Shaye | Edwards |
| Rosie | Gaffaney |
| Bella | Kraenzlin |
| Hannah | Radford |
| Hayley | Stowell |
| Maniah | Taefu |
| Paige | Adams |
| Brianna | Sauer |
| Head Coach | Adam | Morgan |
| Assistant Coach | Bhavna | Lata Prasad |
| Manager | Raewyn | Britt |
Girls B
| Isabella | Day |
| Tia | Double |
| Piper | Eradus |
| Mackenzie | Goodfellow |
| Kaiah | Helsham |
| Isabella | Lennane-Henry |
| Sophie | Schouten |
| Shayla | Tarawa |
| Alyssa | Clarkson |
| Sophie | Braas |
| Tana | Helsham | |
| Keira | Hill | |
| Sam | OConnell |
