Latest news with #CanterburyRams
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Indian Panthers withdraw from National Basketball League
'Looking ahead, we remain committed to our original vision and are eager to explore opportunities for collaboration in future seasons. We believe that, with the right adjustments and planning, we can overcome the current challenges and achieve our shared goals. We deeply regret the situation and assure you that this outcome was never our intention.' Among their struggles this season, visa delays for Indian players and national team commitments led to the organisation recruiting New Zealanders to fill in. Head coach Miles Pearce also resigned after one game. A fixture against the Canterbury Rams in Pukekohe was called off because of the Panthers being unable to field a full squad, and it was understood the team were planning a protest over a lack of payment and treatment of players. The remainder of the 2025 season will be contested as an 11-team league, with all results from Panthers games already completed to be removed entirely. The league said there were three parties interested in picking up the now-vacant 12th licence but no decisions would be made until a review of the current season had been completed. 'While this is an unfortunate outcome to what was a very exciting vision to expand our basketball competition across New Zealand and the Asian region, the Panthers did not deliver what they had promised, for which they have taken responsibility,' NBL commission chairwoman Tracey Garland said. 'Despite our disappointment, over the last seven years the innovations our basketball leagues have shown, in both the men's and women's competitions, are viewed across New Zealand sport as being bold, courageous and largely successful – we value being leaders in this space and we will continue to look to grow the leagues."
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tall Blacks tap teens for inaugural Throwdown series
Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell has named a young team for the inaugural transtasman Throwdown series next week. He has selected four teenagers in the squad with just a handful of games between them. Hawke's Bay guard Jackson Ball is the youngest of the quartet at just 17. He scored 40 points for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in the opening game of the National Basketball League season and is averaging 21.4 points. He is joined in the side by a trio of 18-year-olds: Tama Isaac, Oscar Goodman and Julius Halaifonua. Isaac has been in good touch for the Canterbury Rams this season. The point guard is averaging 13.1 points and 4.8 assists. His older brother, Kaia, is on the Rams' roster as well. Halaifonua is a 2.13m redshirt freshman with Georgetown University and Goodman is at the University of Michigan. The pair have each played one game for the Tall Blacks, while Tama Isaac and Ball have made two appearances. At the other end of the experience spectrum is Corey Webster with 100 games. He will link up with experienced guards Reuben Te Rangi (71 games) and Shea Ili (71 games). There is a strong Canterbury Rams feel to the squad as well. Taylor Britt, Walter Brown and Max Darling take the Rams representation to six. There are some stars missing, though. The likes of Sam Timmins, Yanni Wetzell, Tyrell Harrison and Jordan Ngatai were unavailable. The Tall Blacks will play three games against the Boomers. Game 1 is in Adelaide on Tuesday. They play again on the Gold Coast three days later, and the final game of the series is in Hamilton on May 11. They will share the billing with the Tall Ferns, who are taking on the Australian Opals. The games are all double-headers. The fixture in Hamilton will mark the first time the Tall Ferns have played at home in five years. They have eight uncapped players in their squad of 14.
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Basketball: Time right for Tall Blacks to challenge Boomers
Shea Ili in action for the Tall Blacks. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Timing can be everything in sport and it could be on the Tall Blacks side during a hectic five-day span this month. The three-game Trans-Tasman Throwdown , which tips off on 7 May in Adelaide, is scheduled at a time when neither sides can call on players plying their trade in international leagues. Instead, two teams will take the floor with rosters that have predominantly been playing downunder for an inaugural series that moves to the Sunshine Coast on 9 May and concludes in Hamilton on 11 May. Tall Blacks head coach Judd Flavell has selected players who have been involved with the New Zealand NBL, as well as domestic competitions in Australia for the past few months. "[The Throwdown] is not necessarily a walk in the park for anybody, so they have to be in game shape, and all of these guys are currently in the middle of this season, so they've built a good resilience, as well as fitness," he said. "There is a good list of names there that are unavailable, but this has really given us a great chance to look at some of the younger guys that we have, as well as mixing them in with the experienced Tall Blacks that have been there many times before." The stability and form of Tall Blacks captain Reuben Te Rangi, who recently signed to return to the NZ Breakers is something Flavell was happy to have on hand. Te Rangi began the NZ NBL season with Franklin Bulls and has since joined Gold Coast in Australian domestic competition. Wellington Saints and Melbourne United point guard Shea Ili was "one of the best in the world", according to Flavell, and he was looking forward to joining 100-gamer Corey Webster, who had impressed the national team coach with his form for Manawatū Jets. "The Jets team is sitting somewhere in the top six, which has been a real surprise, probably for a lot of people, and certainly, with a new make-up that they've had a lot of changes in their team and players and coaches, and obviously he's steering the ship nicely for them." Taylor Britt in action for Canterbury Rams. Photo: photosport Flavell has had a close eye on the Canterbury Rams set-up as an assistant coach this season, and sung the praises of Tohi Smith- Milner, Walter Brown, Taylor Britt and Max Darling. "Those guys have really forged their way throughout the New Zealand NBL and got a good number of games under the belt with the Tall Blacks, but they've certainly got a lot of years ahead of them as well." The Boomers will have seen less of Oscar Goodman, Julius Halaifonua, Jackson Ball and Tama Isaac. "These guys are youngsters that are part of our NZ Junior Tall Blacks team, so they actually go to the World Cup later on in June, but the majority of them will get an opportunity to be out there on the floor against the Boomers, which will be a great test for them." Flavell knows what to expect from the world seventh-ranked side. "Australia is one of the superpowers of world basketball and a lot of those players are in the NBA," he said. "They would be able to put together a team full of NBA guys, but it doesn't always work out like that for them. "They still have a number of guys that are world class in terms of playing international basketball. DJ Vasiljevic is one of those guys, Xavier Cooks is another one of those guys. "They have a good blend of talents and they do have some youngsters in there, but a lot of their guys are probably more known for carving out their trade and their craft in the Australian NBL. "Anytime you play any Australian team, doesn't matter who they put in front of you, it's going to be a war and we're embracing that challenge." Xavier Cooks in action for Sydney Kings against NZ Breakers. Photo: Brett Phibbs The Throwdown will be the first series between the Tall Blacks and Boomers in a decade. In the intervening years, sporadic one-off games have been dominated by the Boomers. In 2020, the Tall Blacks ended an 11-year losing streak against their trans-Tasman rivals with a 109-98 win in the opening game of the 2021 Asia Cup qualifiers, but they could not back that up a year later, when they lost 81-52 to the Boomers in Cairns. The Tall Blacks roster for that Asia Cup qualifier did not feature any NZ-based players, due to quarantine restrictions during the Covid pandemic. Last time New Zealand played the Boomers at the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta, Australia won 85-76. Three players from that loss will return in Flavell's roster for The Throwdown. Flavell played for a Tall Blacks side that beat the Boomers in a 2001 series that sent New Zealand to the World Cup the following year - a turning point in New Zealand basketball. "It at all started with a bunch of us that got to play against Aussie in 2001," he said. "That was a fun time, and certainly something that I think is very special and something you don't take for granted. "Since then, we've been able to knock them off a few times." Last time the Tall Blacks won a series over the Boomers was 2006. This series would be a good opportunity to repeat that, but that was not on the coach's mind. Flavell is now into the third window of his tenure as Tall Blacks head coach and said it had been a slow build, with a playing group that had largely been a part of his plans since he first took the role last year. "The ultimate goal is building cohesion, so we can really double down on that, when it comes to Asia Cup later on in the year." The roster for the Asia Cup in August could look different to the one that takes the court against Australia, but Flavell was focussed on the even bigger picture. "We work in cycles and the World Cup for us is in 2027, so we have a goal that's in front of us. "Our job is to qualify for the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, so that's the big dream goal for us and in order to for us to achieve that, there are little markers along the way that we got to make sure that we tick off. "We actually have to be quite strategic - we have to system build very carefully. We have to invest in our future right now. "Even though there may be some better players currently, [we have to look at] players that we see in 2028 that could be putting on the black singlet, so we have to be looking at all of those things to build. "When we get together, there's no mistake the reason we are here is to prepare for for Australia, but ultimately, the goal is to get us better, and get us a step closer towards a World Cup or an Olympic berth." NZ Tall Blacks extended roster for Trans-Tasman Throwdown Jackson Ball, Hawke's Bay Hawks, 2 games Taylor Britt, Canterbury Rams & NZ Breakers, 31 games Walter Brown, Canterbury Rams & Tasmania JackJumpers, 18 games Flynn Cameron, Franklin Bulls & Adelaide 36ers, 28 games Max Darling, Canterbury Rams & NZ Breakers, 6 games Carlin Davison, Taranaki Airs & NZ Breakers, 1 game Oscar Goodman, University of Michigan, 1 game Julius Halaifonua, Georgetown University, 1 game Shea Ili, Wellington Saints & Melbourne United, 71 games Kaia Isaac, Canterbury Rams & NZ Breakers, 3 games Tamatoa Isaac, Canterbury Rams, 2 games Tohiraukura Smith-Milner, Canterbury Rams & Brisbane Bullets, 66 games Reuben Te Rangi, Franklin Bulls & NZ Breakers, 71 games Corey Webster, Manawatū Jets, 100 games Australia Boomers for Trans-Tasman Throwdown Todd Blanchfield, Keli Leaupepe, Kyle Bowen, Mitchell Norton, Xavier Cooks, Elijah Pepper, Owen Foxwell, Austin Rapp, Jacob Furphy, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover, Harry Wessels
RNZ News
30-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Unpaid salary claims, postponed game add to Indian Panthers' debut season woes
The Panthers' game against the Canterbury Rams on Tuesday night was postponed after the team was unable to field enough players. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom The Indian Panthers' turbulent debut in the National Basketball League came to a head on Tuesday after allegations surfaced on social media of unpaid salaries and growing dissatisfaction in the squad. Parveen Batish, CEO of the Panthers, said the issues had since been resolved, acknowledging there had been some delays in salary payments. "We have been a bit slow in terms of payment, but that has been rectified," Batish said Wednesday. "The actual amount that was owed was $3200." The Panthers' game against the Canterbury Rams on Tuesday night was postponed after the team was unable to field enough players. The situation then escalated after former Panthers player Alex Robinson Jr., who parted ways with the team earlier this month, posted a pointed message on Instagram on Tuesday evening alleging that he had not been paid. "Dear @indianpanthersofficial. I was part of your organisation for two months, during which I gave my full commitment, effort and passion to every game. Unfortunately, I was repeatedly promised payment that was never fulfilled," he wrote. "This situation not only impacts me personally but also affects my son and my family. I sincerely hope you find it within your hearts to honour your commitments and compensate all of us who gave our blood, sweat and tears to represent and support this organisation." Robinson has since joined the Nelson Giants. The Panthers' inaugural season has been fraught with challenges. The team played without any of the 10 Indian players originally named in the squad in their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks on 12 March due to international commitments. Further turbulence hit in March when head coach Miles Pearce resigned just two days before the Panthers' first home game. The team is yet to register a win after nine matches and, since April, has shifted its base from Bruce Pulman Arena in South Auckland to Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre. Parveen Batish is CEO of the Indian Panthers. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom Batish said player payments would not be an issue in future. "This won't happen again. Our primary aim is to give Indian players the opportunity to play in a league that's been going for over 40 years and is well established," he said. He said he had spoken with the entire squad, and they had agreed to play in the next game. "I just want to put ... in perspective what the issue is. Everyone thinks this is all about player payments," Batish said. "This is not the case. This is about an individual running their agenda to bring the game and the team into disrepute." He did not name the individual but confirmed they are no longer part of the organisation. Batish denied claims that Robinson left the team due to payment issues, claiming the delay was only with the final installment and was tied to his contract's termination. He said Robinson left one game at halftime, returned home and packed his bags. "[Robinson] didn't talk about money," Batish said. "He was talking about the fact that he has to look after the stats, and that's important for his next game. He wasn't scoring points in that match." Alex Robinson Jr. left Indian Panthers in April. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom Robinson told RNZ on Wednesday he simply acted in the same way as the other players acted on Tuesday evening, referring to allegations that payments were outstanding. "A month ago, I sat out because of the same thing the players currently are going through. … I wasn't paid what I was owed," Robinson said. "The way I left was a reflection of how they communicated with us. I wanted to do the same thing they did to us, just like the current players just did." Batish said most of Robinson's payments were made during his time with the team and only a small amount remained upon termination of his contract, an amount that had since been settled. Looking ahead, Batish said the team planned to bring in more Indian players and reduce its reliance on Kiwi talent. "As far as the community is concerned, we failed in that we haven't had the Indian talent that we wanted," he said. "We need to rectify that before we can go any further. That's no different to the message I gave eight weeks ago when we first started. We just haven't delivered." Batish said the team had moved to Franklin to reduce costs, potentially halving matchday expenses. "It's not about where we live. This is about actually showing that we have Indian players at the heart of our team, and that's what we want to show going forward," Batish said. "We're not the Takanini Panthers. We're called the Indian Panthers." Despite the team's winless opening run, Batish said he wasn't overly concerned. "I'm not too concerned about the win, to be honest with you," he said. "We're not the only team without a win. It's not about the wins and losses. It's about whether we're living up to what we said we would. "And right now, no, we're not. In the future - 100% - we will be. That's what we have to do." In a statement, the National Basketball League and Basketball New Zealand convened a meeting Wednesday with representatives from all 12 teams in the league, including the Indian Panthers. The statement said the league had been made aware of delayed payments to Indian Panthers' players and staff on 25 April and a formal meeting had taken place on Monday. "On the morning of Tuesday 29 April, the league was informed that a number of Panthers players had received payment, and plans were in place for the game against the Rams to proceed," the statement said. "However, prior to tip-off, Panthers players elected not to take the court, and the league made the decision to postpone the game." The National Basketball League said it was currently working through a number of options regarding the future of the Indian Panthers in the competition and would make another statement within the next 24 hours.
