Basketball booming for all ages

One of the hottest local sports in recent years has been basketball, which has exploded in popularity for school students and adults.

The game was given a massive boost in March last year with the opening of a new purpose-built sports centre at the Mahurangi Hope Centre & Church, off Mansel Drive in Warkworth.

The centre includes a full-size international basketball court with a sprung hardwood floor that is now home to Mahurangi Basketball Club and Harbour Basketball’s northern base.

Harbour operations manager Campbell Marsters says locals have taken to shooting hoops like ducks to water, with six men’s teams and 21 primary school teams playing by Term 2 last year, and much more to come in 2025.

“We’ve tweaked things to allow for up to eight men’s teams, eight mixed teams and 24 primary school teams this season [February to May],” he says.

“And we’re excited to launch an Adults Mixed Basketball League on Tuesdays, starting March 18. This league is designed to be social, inclusive and a great way to stay active.”

Each mixed team must have at least two women on the court at all times, which Marsters says provides a fantastic opportunity to get more women involved in basketball.

“Games last about an hour, making it a fun and manageable way to get in some court time,” he says.

The men’s competition kicks off on Monday, February 24, with team entries closing at 5pm on February 14. Player registrations need to be completed at least 24 hours before the first game.

The primary school leagues, which feature quick, 30-minute games, start on Monday, March 17 for Years 5 and 6, and Tuesday, March 18 for Years 1 and 2 and Years 3 and 4.

Harbour Basketball is also looking for volunteers to help run games, offering refereeing and coaching clinics for anyone who wants to get involved, from beginners to experts.

“Being a relatively new sport to the masses, there aren’t a lot of people who grew up with basketball the same way they may have done with sports like rugby and cricket,” Marsters says. “So, we’re always looking for people to get involved and help provide more opportunities for the sport to grow in the region.”

He adds that any schools looking to boost their basketball programmes should contact Harbour Basketball’s in-schools and participation manager, Cain Nuttall, at participation@harbour.basketball.

Info: Mahurangi adult leagues: https://shorturl.at/ekG9y

Mahurangi primary school leagues: https://shorturl.at/UNdG6

Refereeing: Scott Campbell at officials@harbour.basketball

Coaching: Mikey Graham at support.coaches@harbour.basketball