The Mainland Pouākai have bolstered their longer term support for Women’s basketball pathways with a three year partnership with The Recruitment Network. As well as coming on as the teams naming partner and being known as The Recruitment Network Mainland Pouākai, the employability skills of the next generation will gain the support of The Recruitment Network via the Pouākai & Rams Youth Employability Programme & Mainland Eagles Academy.
“We are extremely excited to announce the new naming rights partnership between The Recruitment Network and the Mainland Pouākai team. This partnership represents a major milestone for both organisations, as it will provide a wide range of benefits for everyone involved. The Recruitment Network is eager to support the development of local talent and help foster a more vibrant and diverse sports culture in the region. Our partnership with the Mainland Pouākai team extends over the next three years, and we are confident that it will be a highly rewarding and successful collaboration for all parties involved. As an organisation, we are committed to promoting gender equality and supporting initiatives that close the pay gap for female athletes in all sports, including basketball. We firmly believe that by creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for female athletes, we can help inspire more women to participate in sports, challenge systemic biases, and build a more diverse and dynamic sports culture for all”. Stated The Recruitment Network CEO, Teresa Moore
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa saw massive viewership in its first season and the competition provided opportunity for New Zealand’s top talent to return to play in front of the home fans for the first time in the history of the New Zealand women’s basketball. Not only does the league provide equal pay for it’s players, the league brings games to the doorsteps of young aspiring fans. The Pouākai players throughout the season visited schools delivering the Pouākai Girls Got Game programme and encouraging physical activity, wellness and employability skills through the Pouākai community programmes.
“Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa is leading the way with opportunities of equal pay for players & coaches and creating pathways. Through the support of The Recruitment Network we are able to continue to build leadership opportunities for women’s basketball and ensure our sports region is leading the way. The support of The Recruitment Network will allow us as a organisation to continue growing the resourcing we are able to put into investing into the women’s basketball pathway throughout our region.” stated Pouākai General Manager, Caleb Harrison.
The Recruitment Network Mainland Pouākai season memberships and individual game tickets pre-sales begin today with public sales launching at 9am on Wednesday via Ticketek and Pouākai social media. Stay tuned to the Pouākai social media for player announcements as the team prepares for 2023 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa. The opening game of the season is Sunday 16th July vs the Whai at Cowles Stadium.
About Mainland Pouākai
Our vision is for the Mainland Pouākai to support the Women’s National Basketball League by being a world class women’s professional franchise that is a game changer in our region, championing equality of outcomes and excellence in women’s professional basketball.
The Mainland is considered the most common label for the combined region of Canterbury, Tasman and the West Coast. The Pouākai (Haast Eagle) was indigenous to the Mainland Takiwa and and symbolised in song and narrative. The Pouākai was said to have been one of the most magnificent birds to have existed in Aotearoa. Given the Pouākai’s reverence and mana within the Mainland Takiwa, we couldn’t think of a better representation to symbolise the franchise’s values and principles as part of Tauihi Women’s Basketball Aotearoa.
Mainland Pouākai – Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
- Facebook: @MainlandPouakai
- Instagram: @MainlandPouakai
- Twitter: @MainlandPouakai
- TikTok: @MainlandPouakai
About Tauihi Women’s Basketball Aotearoa
The name of the new professional league for New Zealand women’s basketball is based on the concept of taking women’s basketball in Aotearoa to the next level.
Tauihi: To soar
Flying high – teammates and whānau their wings.
Building their legend by showcasing their creativity, tenacity and power for all to see. Shining, joyful and relatable examples to the next generation of where basketball can take you.
Sparking dreams and instilling belief in girls that the boundaries they face exist only to be
broken.
A source of permission and courage to think bigger and aim higher – on and off the court.
