SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks vs Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs
When: Thursday April 29
Where: ILT Stadium Southland
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: Click HERE
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
A first game on the road was a great start for the season. But, with having only 4 players returning to the Sharks it is going to take some time for us to gel as a team and I expect our game this week against Taranaki to be a tough one. However, I have heard about the incredible Southland fans and am super excited to be able to coach my first game on our home court. I am hoping that the great support from our fans will inspire us to play great and entertaining basketball. For us to beat Taranaki, we will need to do a much better job of rebounding and keeping Tai Wynyard and Marcel Jones off the boards and we must get better at taking care of the ball and minimising sloppy turnovers. If we can do this and shoot the ball better we are hoping we can get our first win at home.
Trent Adam (Airs)
Our team is really excited to get underway and test ourselves against a top organisation like the Sharks. They have had a good win first up, and have shown an ability to extend defensively and take teams out of their rhythm, a trait that Rob Beveridge instills in all of his groups. We have had 5 sessions as a full group and look forward to seeing how we can apply our learnings in the pressure of a game environment.
Sky Tower Auckland Huskies vs Property Brokers Manawatu Jets
When: Friday April 30
Where: Eventfinda Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: Click HERE
Aaron Young (Huskies)
Excited for the matchup this week against a very talented Jets team. They will be motivated to repeat the success they had in 2020 during the Showdown, we have to embrace the challenge and contain their guards in particular, for 40 minutes. Being at EventFinda for our first ever home game will help generate the energy we need, if we want to take down a talented group. We can’t wait to play in front of our fans and start to build something special, at a venue that has so much history.
Tim McTamney (Jets)
The pre-season has proven to be successful in terms of developing a positive team culture and has promoted a great deal of quiet optimism regarding our potential for success in 2021. We have assembled a very good group of talented young men, all willing to do what is necessary to ensure the Manawatu Jets produce performances that we, and our supporters, can be proud of. The team has prepared well, and with the recent addition of Daishon Knight and DeAndre Daniels, the enthusiasm to play has reached fever pitch. We thank the people of the Manawatu and in particular Property Brokers, for their support and good wishes as we head to Auckland to play the Huskies this Friday evening, then again the following night as we take on the Franklin Bulls.
Wellington Saints vs Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
When: Friday April 30
Where: TSB Bank Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: Click HERE
Zico Coronel (Saints)
Can the Saints of today outperform the Saints of yesterday? Every practice or game we strive to improve upon our previous collective performance. This Friday's game versus the Rams is sure to aid us in our pursuit of ongoing improvement. They are well coached, with many strong players, and will present us with a real challenge. We look forward to meeting the challenge posed, the associated learning we will make, and putting on a spectacle for our Saints Family at TSB Arena in Wellington. I would also like to express my condolences to the Furlong family as I am saddened to acknowledge the passing of Saints legend Craig Furlong. The part he has played in Saints history and the Basketball community is highly admirable. He will be missed by the Saints family.
Mick Downer (Rams)
It is with great anticipation and excitement that we play in our first game of the Sal’s NBL 2021 campaign, and what better way to start against the perennial title favourites the Wellington Saints on their home court. We’ve had some great games in recent seasons against the Saints which has continued a long history dating back to the 80’s and 90’s. We are however saddened by the news this week of the passing of Saints legend Craig Furlong. We offer our sincere condolences to the Furlong and Saints whanau. We hope to compete hard and with the greatest respect to honour Craig and the many people who have enjoyed the competition between the Saints and Rams over many decades.
Go Media Otago Nuggets vs Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs
When: Saturday May 1
Where: Edgar Centre (More FM Arena)
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: Click HERE
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
The school holidays have brought a tonne of kids to holiday programmes throughout the country! The Nuggets and the Goldrush have had a fantastic week putting smiles on the faces of the youngsters in Otago. These enthusiastic young ballers also remind us of why we play the game! It’s fun and playing with your friends is the best! Looking forward to playing my good friend Trent Adam!
Trent Adam (Airs)
Having an away double header has provided a great opportunity for our group to continue to gel in the early part of the season. Last year's Coach of the year, Brent Matehaere will have his team really well prepared, after their first home game last Saturday, which will provide a great test for us.
EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls vs Property Brokers Manawatu Jets
When: Saturday May 1
Where: Franklin Pool & Leisure Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: Click HERE
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
The team are excited to be playing at home in front of our fans, partners and sponsors again this week, especially after such a good turn out last week. I’m looking forward to competing against a well coached Jets team. Tim is very experienced and will have the boys playing a high tempo brand of basketball. This will be an awesome challenge for us and one I know the boys are ready for. We are also excited to officially welcome Zane Waterman into the team as he gets out of quarantine this week.
Tim McTamney (Jets)
The pre-season has proven to be successful in terms of developing a positive team culture and has promoted a great deal of quiet optimism regarding our potential for success in 2021. We have assembled a very good group of talented young men, all willing to do what is necessary to ensure the Manawatu Jets produce performances that we, and our supporters, can be proud of. The team has prepared well, and with the recent addition of Daishon Knight and DeAndre Daniels, the enthusiasm to play has reached fever pitch. We thank the people of the Manawatu and in particular Property Brokers, for their support and good wishes as we head to Auckland to play the Huskies this Friday evening, then again the following night as we take on the Franklin Bulls.
Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks vs Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
When: Sunday May 2
Where: Pettigrew Green Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: available at the door
Jacob Chance (Hawks)
We’re really looking forward to the first game of the season against the Rams. This game has been a long time coming for everyone involved in our club and the Hawks Bay area. The fellas have been working extremely hard on the court throughout the last couple of months so we’re looking forward to getting out there and testing ourselves against what will be extremely tough competition, in the Rams. We’re expecting a tough, physical game and look forward to putting in a great effort in front of our fans.
Mick Downer (Rams)
Sunday will see our second game for the weekend and our opening round against one of the favourites in this year’s competition the Hawks. Somewhere in the back of our minds the guys who were involved in the 2019 Semi Final loss still have a flame burning. Fired up and ready to take on a team that has been constructed well. We look forward to playing against former Rams players Ethan Rusbatch and Jonathan Janssen, in what will be their first hit-out for the season. I’m sure we will be the better for playing earlier in the round but we absolutely don’t take this game lightly. This team lead by Derone Raukawa and Tall Blacks veteran Everard Bartlett have an experienced and talented side.
