The hard work is about to begin for 36 talented basketball players that have been named in the IMS Payroll Paul Henare and Paora Winitana Basketball Academy.
The mix of girl and boy players aged between 12-18 years have been split into squads of 12 to train at Flaxmere, Hastings and Napier.
Paora Winitana says the players in Hawkes Bay have plenty of raw ability, which now needs to refined, so that they can fully understand the tactics and plays of basketball.
“We’re not short of talent but you don’t reach the top on talent alone. Its about developing a strong work ethic, improving their skills, helping them to understand the game and becoming mentally strong.
“They will all have to train hard, train smart and train together over the 26 weeks, it is a big commitment not just from them but also from their families, this was a crucial part to their final selection into our Academy,” he said.
Winitana was also thrilled to announce some more sponsors to join IMS Payroll. The Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust has come on board as has Unison, Service Trust, Konica Minolta. . HBS Bank, Prolife Food Ltd, Raiseys Original, Hastings District Council, Y-Life Insurance, and Basketball Hawke’s Bay.
Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trustee Tony Maidens said the academies principles aligned perfectly with the Trust.
“The players have to make a real commitment in the academy, both on and off the court.
“They will learn so much from Paora and Paul and we hope that they all take this opportunity with both hands.
The players will begin training the week starting February 20 from 6:00am.
The Hastings and Flaxmere squads will train two times a week and the Napier squad once a week.
“They have some early starts to get used to, it’s not going to be easy but this special group is determined and focussed and it will be great to see their progress over the year,” Paul Henare said.
Flaxmere
Aaliyah Ah-Kiong
Anecia Wilkie
Ashley Welsh
Dominic McGovan
Isaia Jones
Kaleel Spooner
Kalhain Collier
Matt Bird
Sean Leech
Tietie Aiolupotea
Tuehu Spooner
Yvonne Henare
Hastings
Amariah Luki
Andrew Wilson
Dartanyan Naera
Hami Kennedy
Jaxson Macfarlane
Jonathan Riley
Kaleb Edwards
Marcos Edwards
Maia Wati-Cooper
Matiu Spooner
Shayden King- Edwards
Tamia Edwards
Tiemi Amner
Napier
Demi Forshaw
Jacob Nahora
Josie Stockill
Kathleen Nahora
Kimiora Poi
Kresna Crouch
Maddie King
Mahia Isherwood
Nick Agnew
Ricky Hayes
Wilfred Dickson
Zane Hohepa
