Stanley Bay School has gone basketball crazy this year.

We grew from 1 championship-winning team in 2019 to a whopping 12 teams this year! For terms 3 and 4 we have 88 registered players across Years 3-6. Each week, the children take on local peninsula schools such as Vauxhall, Hauraki, and Takapuna Primary schools. Each Thursday evening, they battle it out and are competing at a high level. The nights are filled with laughs, cheering and loads of kids' red faces from putting in every ounce of effort to represent the school!

During term 2 we had three teams win their divisions! Well done, Leopards, Hawks and Lions! The students love it and are eager to play ball at any chance, be it at lunchtimes or on the weekends. It's an excellent place for students to build new friendships, strengthen existing ones and learn how to become resilient as they learn a new sport. We have five girls teams and seven boys teams set and ready to go for terms 3 and 4, it's great to see an even balance. This year, we have already had the Auckland Huskies visit and the 'Girls Got Game' North Harbour Programme, which has helped the basketballers develop their skills and taste what high-level pro basketball looks like. We have also been running open coaching sessions and games on a Sunday afternoon in the hall - getting a regular turn out of around 15-25 students, not including parents who love to get involved!

This upcoming term, we will be unveiling a brand new basketball hoop on the main court. I'm sure the hoop will be extremely popular during morning tea, lunchtime and weekends!

A Huge thanks to Scott Boniface, Ben Offner, Harry and Dylan for volunteer coaching our teams. A big thank you to our parent managers who have embraced the sport, organised carpooling, and notified parents of the weekly events. It wouldn't be possible without you.

If you're reading this, you are most likely already involved with basketball, whether it's playing at the park with your child, or watching them compete at the YMCA on a Thursday night. So here's to another stellar season. 

Nga Mihi

Ethan Rasmussen

Basketball Coordinator