National Maori basketball tournament heading to Rotorua

18 December 2013

National Maori basketball tournament heading to Rotorua at Waitangi Weekend

Basketball teams representing iwi from throughout New Zealand will be converging on Rotorua over Waitangi Weekend in what is an another major event coup just announced for the city.

Rotorua is to host the inaugural National Maori Basketball Tournament at Energy Events Centre (EEC) from 6 to 8 February next year.

The New Zealand Maori Basketball, Aotearoa competition will feature age group sections from Under 11 to Under 21, as well as Men’s, Women’s, Mixed, and Wheelchair sections.

Rotorua District Council Events & Venues operations manager, Joelene Elliott, said the council is working with the Rotorua Basketball Association to organise the event which is expected to attract upwards of 1,000 players, officials and supporters.

“Rotorua Basketball Association has a strong reputation for delivering quality events, so it’s been fantastic working alongside them to pull this tournament together.

“Interest so far has been awesome with 60 teams already registered, however we’d like to get around 100 teams taking part.

“It’s always exciting to be part of an inaugural event, and we hope to see this one achieve success and then grow to become an annual fixture on our calendars. It’s certainly timely that so many Maori will be coming together over Waitangi Weekend - an historically important period for all New Zealanders.”

Miss Elliott said anyone who is not involved with a team but keen to participate can email Rotorua Basketball at rotoruabball@xtra.co.nz. For more information online go to www.rotoruabasketball.org.nz.

ENDS

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