Toa Whānau Shine at Māori Basketball Tournament
Another proud chapter has been added to the Toa basketball story, with Toa crowned overall winners at this year’s Māori Basketball competition, a result that reflects far more than what happened on the court.
Each year, our whānau travel to Rotorua to take part in this tournament, which continues to grow in size, strength and mana. It has become a highlight on the calendar, bringing together tamariki, rangatahi and pakeke from across the motu in a celebration of sport, whanaungatanga and kaupapa Māori.
What makes this competition special is the points system, which recognises the full contribution of teams and whānau. Points are awarded not only for game results, but also for the mahi behind the scenes, including volunteering in roles such as refereeing, meeting competition requirements, and getting information in on time. Toa’s overall win is a testament to the collective effort of our players, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters who consistently step up for the kaupapa.
On the court, Toa teams delivered outstanding performances across multiple grades:
Toa U8 Kotiro Kauri - First
Toa U10 Tama Kauri – First
Toa U14 Kotiro Kowhai – Third
Toa U16 Kotiro Kauri – First
Toa U18 Wahine – Second
Toa U18 Tane Kauri – First
Toa U20 Wahine – Second
Toa U20 Tane – First
Toa Wahine Premier – Third
After many years in Rotorua, the competition will move to Ahuriri next year, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. As the tournament continues to grow, this shift reflects its ongoing evolution and the strength of the whānau and communities who support it.
Congratulations to all our teams and whānau, we can’t wait to see what next year brings.