Basketball: Parades for NZ's championship Breakers

The Breakers celebrate after winning game three of the NBL Grand Final series. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Breakers' historic Australian NBL championship win is set to be marked with parades through Takapuna and Queen St on Friday afternoon.

The North Shore based Breakers beat the Cairns Taipans 71-55 in the deciding match of the three-game Australian NBL finals series on Friday night.

They became the first New Zealand team to win a division one title in an Australian sports league.

Auckland Council and Breakers management this morning announced the parade, a celebration in Takapuna and an event for fans at Aotea Square to mark the team's achievement.

A Council spokesman said the events at an as-yet-unspecified time on Friday afternoon would receive "minimal" ratepayer funding.

He expected Breakers sponsors and management to be involved in the events, which he said would attract thousands of fans.

Breakers general manager Richard Clarke said the celebrations were a chance for players to thank fans for supporting them throughout the ANBL season.

The "staggering" level of support the Breakers' received during their finals run justified a big event, he said.

"We're just humbled by the opportunity.

"It's a nice thing for the club, the players, Takapuna and the city. It's a unique opportunity to thank the fans. It's another opportunity for fans to support the players."

Mayor Len Brown commended the Breakers win and encouraged residents to turn out for the parades.

"I am absolutely stoked that the first New Zealand team to beat the very best Aussie team in an Australian professional sports league was an Auckland-based team.

"The people of the North Shore be should particularly proud of the team which has always called that part of Auckland home.

"I am hoping as many Aucklanders as possible will be able to make it to Queen Street for the parade and to help the Breakers celebrate making sporting history."

The All Whites were the last New Zealand team to earn a parade in July 2010, which took place in Wellington after they returned unbeaten from the Football World Cup.

- HERALD ONLINE