Whai Basketball seeks volunteers as pathways grow
Whai Basketball is calling for more volunteers to help deliver game-day experiences while continuing to build pathways that allow young Bay of Plenty players to pursue professional basketball careers without leaving Tauranga.
General manager Adam Dunstan says Whai was founded five years ago with a vision of using basketball to build a more vibrant, socially connected city.
“We’re about much more than professional basketball,” Adam says. “Our professional teams are what people see on television, but behind that, there’s a huge amount of work happening in the community.”
Whai operates through two not-for-profit organisations. One manages the men’s and women’s National Basketball League teams, while the other focuses on community programmes, player development, school visits and holiday camps.
A key part of that work is the academy programme, which guides young players from intermediate school through to elite performance training. Adam says the aim is to identify local talent early and provide a pathway all the way to the professional game. The approach is already producing results.
This season, six players who have progressed through the Whai academy have appeared for the men’s team, while the women’s programme is also expected to field six academy graduates.
“That’s something we’re really proud of,” Adam says. “Our founders committed to developing local players, and now we’re seeing athletes reach the highest level of basketball in New Zealand.”
Beyond developing players, the Whai professional teams are helping inspire the next generation through regular school visits. Last year, players visited schools more than 70 times, introducing children to basketball while showing them they can pursue the sport without moving away from Tauranga.
Adam says basketball’s popularity has grown rapidly in recent years, helped by New Zealand’s success on the international stage and improved local facilities.
“There wasn’t really a pathway when I was growing up,” he says. “Now we’re trying to show young people they can stay in Tauranga, continue their education and still chase high-level basketball.”
Volunteers play a vital role in making that vision possible. Whai relies on volunteers for almost every aspect of home games, including ticketing, entry management, corporate hospitality, merchandise sales, game-day setup and pack-down, and helping create an exciting atmosphere for supporters. The organisation is now recruiting volunteers for six home games between late September and late November.
“People don’t have to be basketball fans to volunteer. If they want to help create something positive for Tauranga and be part of a great live sporting experience, we’d love to have them involved,” Adam says.
Volunteer Vivek says helping Whai has allowed him to stay connected with the sport while becoming part of a welcoming community.
“Volunteering with Whai Basketball has given me the opportunity to contribute, meet like-minded people and become part of the Whai whānau,” he says.
Fellow volunteer Sam says the role has been a rewarding way to give back.
“Volunteering at Whai home games has allowed me to do this while also getting to see first-hand some great professional basketball.”
While Whai continues to grow, Adam says raising awareness remains one of the organisation’s biggest challenges.
“We’re here to stay,” he says. “The sport is only going to get bigger, and we want the community to come on that journey with us.”
