University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Div 1 team to play in NZ

The University of Hawaii NCAA Division 1 womens basketball team, called the Rainbow Wahine, have scheduled two games against a New Zealand side made up of the country's top domestic talent set for August this year.

New Zealand International Basketball Tours (NZIBT) has arranged what will be this University teams first foreign tour. After New Zealand, they will travel to Australia for two more games.

The Rainbow Wahine competes in the Big West Conference against teams such as Cal Poly and UC Riverside, and includes star guard Sarah Toeaina, who earned Big West Conference First Team honors for the second year in a row.

The tour follows the success of previous U.S. College tours of New Zealand, including the recent NZIBT oragnised tour for the University of California, Berkeley, with former Tall Fern Penina Davidson playing. Other US colleges to visit, although not organised by NZIBT, includes the Oklahoma Sooners with former Junior Tall Black Matt Freeman, and the Washington Huskies with Tall Black Sam Timmins.

Contact was made with the Hawaii team through their former Assistant Coach, New Zealander Darron Larsen, who is a former Manawatu Jet in the NBL.

NZIBTs Tour Director Ashley Gay le, says the commitment from the Rainbow Waihine is another example of how New Zealand is proving to be a great basketball destination for U.S. teams off-season.

"When Cal Berkeley attended last year, we had a terrific turn out at the North Shore Event Centre to see them play a New Zealand Premiere side made up of players selected from team in the New Zealand Womens Basketball Championships (WBC). They really enjoyed their time in New Zealand and our girls gave them a fright on the court - so I think the level of womens basketball here is rapidly improving and at a higher level than some might have expected," says Gayle.

"I also know there was great public support to see the Oklahoma Sooners and Washington Huskies, so Kiwis love their basketball, including the opportunity to see some top NCAA talent. In the US, the NCAA games are televised and it has a huge following. That coverage is spilling onto New Zealand screens and devices, and the basketball community are becoming more aware of these College teams. So its a real pleasure to welcome them to New Zealand shores."

During their tour, the Rainbow Waihine will travel to New Zealand and Australia over 11 days, matching up against four top teams and exploring the epic sights both countries have to offer.

In New Zealand the opposition will likely be made up of two teams, one from the South Island and one from the North Island, consisting of WBC stand-outs and top junior players. This is the second series of events that NZIBT has hosted that provides an opportunity for local WBC players to compete against international competition.

"As part of the trip here, we also make a point of showcasing New Zealand as a tourist destination. We will be showing them the beautiful mountains, rivers and beaches of Auckland and Christchurch, introduce them to our beautiful cultural experiences and give them a chance to test their nerves on the kiwi adventure tourism circuit, including ziplining through the stunning scenery of Waiheke Island," says Gayle.

"In Australia they will tour the beautiful harbour city of Sydney and climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, before travelling on to the arty Melbourne City, famous for its hipster coffee shops, fashion boutiques and incredible zoo."

The Australian teams are yet to be named, but whichever team lines up will face the Rainbow Wahines three Australian players, who will be returning to their homeland. Head coach Laura Beeman says the team is very excited about this tour.

"We are incredibly excited about our program taking its first ever international trip. I think the Australian players on our team make this trip a perfect choice. We also look forward to sharing our Hawaiian culture, showcasing our basketball skills and learning about the beautiful people we will encounter on this trip," said Beeman from Manoa, Honolulu.

With all of the accommodation, transport, activities and games organised by NZIBT, all the Bows need to do is arrive, enjoy themselves and focus on bonding as a team.

"We want to thank New Zealand International Basketball Tours and all of our supporters for making Hawaiian Airlines & Rainbow Wahine Basketball Go The Distance Trip, a once in a lifetime opportunity, possible. Mahalo Nui Loa and Go Bows," said Beeman.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand