Recently, Freddy Evans, Emilia Ainley and Mr Ben Sheat (teacher) all received the call up from Basketball NZ. We caught up with them for their reaction...

Freddy Evans and Emilia Ainley have travelled different paths to their Basketball NZ call up, but share the same passion and drive for the game. 

Emilia began playing netball and volleyball before she was asked to trial for the basketball team. She said her height was a major factor towards that decision. 

Freddy on the other hand has been playing basketball his whole life. "I was brought up in a basketball family. My dad used to play when he was younger. My older brother plays...And so it was kind of just meant [to be] for me to play."

When asked about why they loved basketball, their answers were much the same. "Travelling, tournaments and being with my friends," said Emilia. "The people, I like the communities, I like meeting people," added Freddy.

Both Freddy and Emilia have been selected for the Basketball NZ national training camps, where 24 players in each team will trial and compete for 12 spots to represent New Zealand at the U15 Oceania Championships later this year. 

When asked how they felt about being chosen to trial for the national team, Emilia replied "A year ago I wasn't even playing, I couldn't even dribble and now I'm in the NZ squad!" 

Freddy said, "It's amazing, I still look up to my brother when he would play, and he was making all these teams, and it just feels nice to, you know, be the one making teams."

 As for Mr Sheat, he's been coaching for over 20 years and fondly remembers his own time touring around NZ and Australia for the Waitaki Boys basketball team. His coaching career preceded his teaching career, and when asked what he enjoys most about coaching, he replied, "I obviously love basketball and it's a good way for me to give back and stay in the game."

Mr Sheat applied for the position of Head Coach for the NZ U15 Men's National Basketball team and (by no surprise) was successful! He brings a world of knowledge and experience with him, having coached the Canterbury Rams for five years and being the current Assistant Coach for the Nelson Giants. In Mr Sheat's new role he is most looking forward to "getting to work with a range of different athletes from around New Zealand," he says.

At Nayland College, our students are also benefitting from Mr Sheat's coaching experience and expertise, with a number of our students selected to join Nelson representative teams. It is safe to say that Nayland College Basketball is only getting stronger so watch this space! We look forward to more updates throughout the year as Mr Sheat, Freddy, Emilia, our Nayland College Basketball teams and all our Nelson rep players give their best in their upcoming competitions!

Congratulations again to Freddy and Emilia. We wish you both all the best as you prepare for the selection camps in May!