Wahine D League

Joe Frost

Under 23 Men’s

TBA

Under 19 Boys

Liam McRae

Under 17 Wahine

Paora Pomare

– Ko Ngāti Mutunga, Te Āti Awa me Ngāpuhi hoki, ōku iwi.

• Head coach of the Manawatu U17 Girls 2021-23  
• Assistant coach of the Manawatu U17 Girls 2018-20
• Assistant coach of the Manawatu U15 Boys 2013-14
• Head coach of the Manawatu U13 Boys 2011-12
• Assistant coach of the Manawatu U13 Boys 2009-10

And other Coaching Experiences include: 

• Bachelor of Education – double major in Maori Studies & Education.
• Diploma of Teaching – over 25 years teaching experience      
• Over 25 years coaching experience, including:  Manawatu U13 Rugby League, Sports Academy, First Fifteen Rugby, Football, Cricket, Touch, Hockey, Netball, Waterpolo Cross country, Swimming, Triathlon, Athletics and AIMS Games.
• Teacher in Charge of Basketball across seven schools 1999 – 2022.

Things that motivates me to coach are mainly around the fact it is dynamic and adaptive not static nor fixed. I love teaching, and coaching is an extension of the teaching and learning process.

I personally enjoy the opportunity to:

• develop player capabilities and elevate their understanding of how to become better people and therefore better competitors.
• enhance my own knowledge base through positive learning and developmental experiences.

My favourite Player/coaching quote is from Michael Jordan when he said: “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – 

Under 17 Boys

Darren Larson

MVP 1998 Second highest with 3-point percentage

Trialist for the Tall Blacks 1998 – 1999

My Coaching Career includes:

• 2002 – 2015 Feilding Agriculture High School Boys
• 2005 – 2007 Manawatu Jets Head Coach
• 2005 – 2007 Feilding Agriculture High School Girls
• 2007            Tall Blacks Assistant Coach
• 2007              University Head Coach
• 2008 – 2009 Hawkes Bay Assistant Coach
• 2010 – 2012 Manawatu Jets Assistant Coach
• 2010 – 2012 NZ Head Coach U18 Men
• 2014 – 2014 Manawatu Jets Head Coach
• 2015 – 2017 Assistant Coach Pepperdine Women’s program
• 2017 – 2018 Assistant Coach University of Hawaii
• 2021 – 2022 Head Coach NZ U17 Men
• 2022 – 2023 Head Coach NZ U17 Men

I received my bachelor’s degree in teaching from Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand in 2000 and am currently coaching and teaching at Feilding High School.

Under 17 Boys

(Development Team)

Liam McRae

Under 15 Wahine

Whakataha (Taha) Wihongi

• 2018 – Present Secondary School Basketball programs
• 2019-20 Basketball Manawatū U13 Girls 
• 2021-22 Basketball Manawatū U15 Girls

 What motivates me to coach is our Tamariki. Smiles on faces, having fun. Enjoying not only Basketball, but Life…

 And my three favourite Player/coaching quote

Three Quotes that I love:

1. With the Absence of Pressure, it’s Hard to do Great Things.
   – Geno Auriemma (UCON)
2. Hard work Beats Talent When Talent Does not Work Hard.
   – Tim Notke
3. I do not want to be the next Michael Jordan. I only want to be Kobe Bryant!!
   – Kobe Bryant

Under 15 Boys

Ryan Dubbeldam

Other Coaching Experiences I have undertaken include in the high performance area

• New Zealand Under 17 Girls 2019 – 2022 Assistant Coach
• University of Hawaii Women’s Basketball 2017 – 2018 Assistant Coach
• Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology Men’s Basketball 2015 – 2017 Assistant Coach
• Manawatu Jets 2013 – 2015 Assistant Coach.
• Manawatu Jets 2010 – 2013 Video Coordinator/Scout

And as for my regional Involvement

• Basketball Manawatu U15 Men’s program 2021 – 2022
• Head Coach Finished second at the AON Nationals
• PNBHS Junior A 2022 Head Coach
• FAHS Junior A 2020 – 2021 Head Coach
• Basketball Manawatu U13 2020 Head Coach

The thing that motivate me to coach is around helping players become better players and better people.

And my love of coaching is about working with people, helping player improve and compete at an elevated level

Under 15 Boys

(Development Team)

Hone Wihongi

• Basketball Manawatu Under u13’s children, & 2 years Under 15 boys Development team

Other Coaching Experiences: 4 years coaching Rep and club Softball,

I am motivated to coach by my theory that the more coaches the more players. Learning and expanding knowledge from other coaches

I love about coaching and by watching development unfold. Seeing work-ons executed and to enjoyment of the youth when it happens.

My favourite Player/coaching quote: “Good teams become great when trusting each other enough to surrender the ME for WE”