Whai Basketball is calling for more volunteers to help deliver game-day experiences while continuing to build pathways for young Bay of Plenty players to pursue professional basketball careers without leaving Tauranga.

General manager Adam Dunstan said 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,” Dunstan said. “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, Dunstan said. One manages the men’s and women’s National Basketball League teams, while another 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.

Dunstan said the aim is to identify local talent early and provide a pathway to the professional game. The approach is already producing results, he said.

This season, six players who’ve progressed through the Whai academy have appeared for the men’s team, while the women’s programme was also expected to field six academy graduates.

The Whai men’s team. Photo / Supplied

“That’s something we’re really proud of,” Dunstan said. “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 help 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.

Dunstan said 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 said. “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, Dunstan said.

Whai relies on volunteers for almost every aspect of home games, including ticketing, entry management, corporate hospitality, merchandise sales, game-day set-up and pack-down, and creating an exciting atmosphere for supporters.

The organisation is recruiting volunteers for six home games from late-September to 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,” Dunstan said.

Young Whai fans enjoying watching a game. Photo / Supplied

While Whai continues to grow, he said raising awareness remains one of the organisation’s biggest challenges.

“We’re here to stay,” Dunstan said. “The sport is only going to get bigger, and we want the community to come on that journey with us.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities in the Bay of Plenty, visit the Volunteering Services website: www.volunteeringservices.org.nz or call 07 987 0920.

Or jump straight into action with Whai at: https://www.volunteeringservices.org.nz/volunteers/?opp_id=125758