When they’re not delicately wiping away baby dribble, they’re likely to be dribbling a basketball down the court.

The BOP’s very own women’s representative squad, Tauranga Coasters, will compete in the D-League tournament in Auckland August 16-19 with their kids cheering on the sidelines.

“It’s been a big push getting women back into the sport so we’re proud to get such a competitive team up,” says Tauranga Basketball director of development Rachel Gwerder.

“The culture is changing to where having children isn’t a barrier.”

Three women on the team are mums. May Tai is breastfeeding two of her three children, eight month-old Zharaiah and 18 month-old Zhavia, between practices and games.

“It’s hard. Sometimes I’m breastfeeding both, holding one in each arm,” she says. “But then I have little Zhavia doing stretches beside me or trying to bounce the ball and I feel as though it does make me a better mum. I hope I’m a good role model for them.”

May, who was away from the sport for 12 years, says it’s very different returning as a mum.

“The mind’s there but the body’s not quite in the same place yet,” she laughs. “If I hear one of my kids crying, my attention goes straight there. I need to bring my focus back to the game.”

Tainakore Tapiata is mum to six-month-old Maiāria and has returned to basketball after a five-year break.

“I was really scared to come back just because of the fitness,” she says. “I wasn’t worried about baby because I’ve got such a big whanau to help with her, but I was worried about getting back on the court because I had been such a fast player. It’s been great, though.”

Laura Kuka jumped back into basketball two years ago when her son Lua was just a few weeks old.

“As soon as I could run, I was straight back into scrimmages. It was hard but I had support from my parents and it took my mind off motherhood for just a short amount of time. I really enjoy it. I’d love for Lua to play basketball. I’m looking forward to teaching him everything I know.”

Tauranga City Basketball Association has invested heavily in the women’s side of the game this year.

“The development league has created space for women to compete,” says coach Chelseah Savage. “It’s a competitive league. It’s tough.”

Chelseah admires players who juggle busy family lives with training. “I’m so proud of our mothers in the team who commit to this,” she says.

“Young kids get to see their mums playing which is so cool. I take my hat off to the women. They get full credit.”