Thank you to Miles Toyota for their ongoing support of our Women’s and Girl’s Rep Programmes.
The U20 representative program concluded with the national tournament held from May 31st to June 3rd. The Miles Toyota Wildcats demonstrated their dominance by going undefeated throughout the tournament and claiming the championship title. The women’s B team also showed strong performance, finishing in 5th place.
Individual accolades were abundant, with Ashlyn Rean and Hana Lacey-Rameka being selected for the All-Star Five. Hana’s exceptional play earned her the MVP honors, and Eibhlin Leeson was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament, underlining the strength and skill present in the women’s teams. We are deeply grateful to Miles Toyota for their vital support, which has been instrumental in their achievements.
The U18 Nationals, held in Wellington from July 10th to 13th, saw participation from 13 girls’ teams. The Miles Toyota Wildcats achieved a commendable 3rd place finish, with Ophelia Powell earning a spot in the All-Star Five.
The U16 Nationals took place in Auckland from July 16th to 19th, featuring 20 girls’ teams. The Miles Toyota Wildcats secured 5th place, while the girls’ B team finished in 12th place. Ava Jones’ exceptional performance earned her a place in the All-Star Five, highlighting the depth of talent in the Canterbury squads. A heartfelt thank you to Miles Toyota for their continued sponsorship, making these achievements possible.
Wildcats Women’s Tupu League and Nationals: A Promising Start with Room for Growth
The Wildcats Women’s Tupu League team made their debut in Tauranga from June 21st to June 23rd, marking an exciting beginning for women’s basketball in the region. The inaugural season of the Tupu League featured 12 women’s teams competing fiercely over the weekend. The Wildcats managed to secure a respectable 4th place finish. However, there is a clear room for improvement, especially in attracting non-representative players, as only four players on the team had not previously participated in a representative tournament. Special thanks to our sponsor, Miles Toyota, for their invaluable support throughout the season.
The inaugural season of the Wildcats Women’s Tupu League and the performances at the U16, U18, and U20 Nationals have set a solid foundation for women’s basketball in Canterbury. However, the journey is far from over. The focus for the upcoming seasons will be on improving the buildup processes, increasing participation from non-representative players, and continuing to develop the remarkable talent evident in this year’s competitions.
As the Wildcats look forward to the 2025 campaign, the future of women’s basketball in the area appears bright and full of potential. Once again, we express our sincerest thanks to Miles Toyota for their unwavering support and dedication to the growth of women’s basketball.
