The Sky Sport Tall Ferns will step into a selection camp this Thursday, as Coach Guy Molloy finishes his three-week community coaching clinic and now focuses on the national women’s team ahead of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup later this year.
The FIBA Asia Cup is a big ask considering the powerhouse nations of South Korea, China, Australia, and current champions Japan who have an unprecedented four titles. The key goal for Coach Guy Molloy and his team will be to finish in the top four nations, effectively bumping one of these out of contention. Achieve this at the Asia Cup and they will earn a spot at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in February 2022.
Ultimately the route leads to the big stage – the Tall Ferns want to be one of 12 teams eligible for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, being held in Sydney in September and October 2022.
Molloy says the team need to get through this transformational stage quickly and set their sights on being in the top four in Asia, as new players enter the roster.
“There is no doubt that the Tall Ferns are entering a transitional phase as some of the legends of the team are at the end of, or coming towards the end of illustrious careers, such as Natalie Taylor, Toni Farnworth and Micaela Cocks.
“Opportunities are therefore going to present for quite a few young players over the next year or two and I’m pretty excited about that. There are a tremendous group of new faces on the scene who I am excited about.
“In this camp, the only players that have had significant Tall Ferns representation are the likes of Stella Beck, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Josie Stockill and Tessa Boagni. The others have had maybe one other Tall Ferns trip, or none, so they are all quite new to the whole thing. I’m fascinated to see what they bring,” says Molloy.
The five-day Camp will be held at Pulman Arena in South Auckland. This is the second selection camp that Molloy has overseen. The first was held on the Gold Coast in March, before the travel bubble with Australia was introduced and Molloy is looking forward to getting back to work with the players.
As has been something of a regular occurrence during Molloy’s tenure as coach, the camp will be a family affair with a new addition joining the squad this week. Tessa Boagni returns to action along with her eight-month year-old son Noah.
“Player wellbeing is a priority and we try our best to accommodate family if it is possible, the family atmosphere is a big part of the Tall Ferns.”
Molloy will link up with assistant coaches Aik Ho and Jody Cameron and the rest of the Tall Ferns staff for the first time since the Olympic Qualifying event in Auckland, 2019, where the Tall Ferns managed a win over South Korea and the Philippines.
“On the Gold Coast we had to bring in some fill-ins and those people did a terrific job, but it’s going to be great to re-connect with the full staff face to face rather than countless zoom calls,” enthused Molloy.
Notable absentees from the squad who are currently in New Zealand are Ella Fotu and Matangiroa Flavell – both had prior commitments, but are still eligible for selection along with a number of other well-known names who are currently overseas.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, India, 27 September to 3 October. The team will have to prepare with the lingering uncertainty of the global border restrictions, flights, and the global effects of COVID-19.
The attendees of the 2021 Tall Ferns Pre-Asia Cup Selection Camp are:
• Stella Beck | Melbourne Boomers
• Olivia Bell | Harbour Breeze
• Tessa Boagni | Canterbury Wildcats
• Ella Bradley | Utah State University Eastern
• Tayla Dalton | St Mary’s College, California
• Mary Goulding | Bendigo Spirit/East Perth Eagles
• Lauryn Hippolite | Canterbury Wildcats
• Ashleigh Kelman-Poto | Harbour Breeze/Red City Road
• Charlisse Leger-Walker | Washington State University
• Krystal Leger-Walker | Washington State University
• Arielle Mackey-Williams | Auckland Dream
• Kayla Manuirirangi | Waikato Wizards
• Katelin Noyer | Auckland Dream
• Esra McGoldrick | Waikato Wizards
• Sharne Robati | Auckland Dream
• Melika Samia | Mount Maunganui College
• Emilia Shearer | University of Portland
• Josie Stockill | Canterbury University
Follow the Tall Ferns social media channels: @TallFerns Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Hashtag: #TallFerns
Profiles:
Stella Beck
Team: Melbourne Boomers
Height: 1.79m
Junior Association: Hutt Valley
High School: Hutt Valley High School
Debuted for the Tall Ferns at the William Jones Cup in 2018 (averaged 17.8ppg). Played all three games at 2019 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland.
Played for Melbourne Boomers in 2019/20 and 2021 Australian WNBL – team were beaten semi-finalists both years.
Beck enjoyed a standout career at St Mary’s College, California where in 2018 she was named first team All-West Coast Conference for the second time in her career after leading the Gaels in scoring, steals and free-throw shooting in her final collegiate season. She was also named to the WCC All-Academic First Team for the third time in her career. Beck finished her career 10th on the all-time scoring list at Saint Mary’s with 1,439 career points.
Olivia Bell
Team: Harbour Breeze
Height: 187cm
Junior Association: North Harbour
High School: Westlake Girls High School
A member of the Harbour Breeze 2020 Sal’s NBL Championship winning team.
Following high school Bell spent two years playing at North Dakota State College of Science followed by one year at Peru State College, Nebraska playing NAIA Division I basketball.
Tessa Boagni
Team: Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats
Height: 1.88m
Junior Association: Canterbury
High School: Christchurch Girls High School
Was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 2018 William Jones Cup and silver medal winning team at the 2019 event averaging 9.2ppg.
Played all three games at 2019 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland.
Spent four years at California State University, Northridge. In her senior year won MVP at the Big West Conference Tournament – scored 23 points (9/16 FG) and eight rebounds as Cal State Northridge beat UC Davis 63-55 in the championship game. Ended her career with the Matadors fourth in career games played (122), sixth in career blocks (101) and ninth in career rebounds (700).
Mother Jane and sister Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe also played for the Tall Ferns.
Ella Bradley
Team: Utah State University Eastern
Height: 182cm
Junior Association: Waikato
High School: St Peter’s School, Cambridge
Bradley has recently completed her freshman year at Utah State University Eastern where she averaged 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
Enjoyed a prolific junior career winning multiple national championships with Waikato and St Peter’s.
Remarkably she appeared in the Grand Final at Schick Secondary Schools National Championships in all five years in high school winning the title on four occasions.
In 2018 played on the New Zealand team at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Belarus.
Tayla Dalton
Team: St Mary’s College, California
Height: 175cm
Junior Association: North Harbour
High School: Carmel College
Dalton played all 26 games for St Mary’s in her recently completed freshman season averaging 17 minutes per game and was second on the team in steals (26). Her season high was 18 points against Nevada in December.
She has played a considerable amount of age-group international basketball. In 2019 she was named to the Tournament Team at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in Mongolia where the New Zealand Team claimed silver.
In 2018 played on the New Zealand team at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Belarus.
Mary Goulding
Team: Bendigo Spirit/East Perth Eagles
Height: 1.83m
Junior Association: Canterbury
High School: Rangiora High
Played for Bendigo Spirit in the 2020 Australian WNBL season and currently playing in Western Australia for East Perth Eagles in NBL1.
Debuted for the Tall Ferns team that finished runners-up at the 2019 William Jones Cup.
Following high school Goulding spent a year at Gillette College in Wyoming before being recruited by Fordham University.
In her senior year at Fordham in 2018-19 she earned First Team All-Conference honours, Most Outstanding Player accolade at the Atlantic 10 Championship and was also named to the A-10 All-Academic team. Goulding led the Rams to the programme’s second-ever Atlantic 10 Championship.
Lauryn Hippolite
Team: Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats
Height: 174cm
Junior Association: Tasman/Canterbury
High School: Waimea College/Middleton Grange School.
Leading scorer at the inaugural NBL Schick 3×3 Cup in 2020 but a calf injury impeded her 2020 Sal’s NBL campaign meaning she could only play 3 games.
Played on the New Zealand team that won silver at the 2017 FIBA Oceania Championships in Guam averaging 9.6ppg.
Played NCAA Division II basketball at Hawaii Pacific University in 2018-19.
Hippolite is currently on a basketball scholarship at Lincoln University.
Ashleigh Kelman-Poto
Team: Harbour Breeze
Height: 185cm
Junior Association: Auckland
High School: Mt Albert Grammar School
A member of the Harbour Breeze 2020 Sal’s NBL Championship winning team. Named Grand Final MVP after an 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 steals haul in the final against Waikato Wizards. Also named to the All-Star Five.
Attended North Idaho Junior College (2011-12) followed by two years at East Central University (NCAA Division II).
Older sister of Southland Sharks player Dom Kelman-Poto.
Currently playing for Brisbane club Red City Roar in Australian NBL1 league.
Charlisse Leger-Walker
Team: Washington State University
Height: 174cm
Junior Association: Waikato
High School: St Peter’s School, Cambridge
Recently completed a remarkable freshman year at Washington State University. The Pac 12 Freshman of the Year scored in double figures in all but two games and 20+ on 12 occasions. She led the Pac 12 in points scored (407) and steals per game (2.33).
Made her senior international debut at 2018 Commonwealth Games where she became the youngest player ever to play for the New Zealand Tall Ferns at 16 years, 202 days. Averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was joint top scorer with 18 points in the bronze medal game against Canada.
Leger-Walker also played a considerable amount of age-group international basketball. In 2019 she was named to the Tournament Team at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in Mongolia where the New Zealand Team claimed silver.
She won multiple New Zealand junior titles with both St Peter’s School, Cambridge and Waikato Basketball. Remarkably she appeared in the Grand Final at the Secondary Schools Nationals in all five years in high school winning the championship on four occasions.
Mother Leanne attended the 1990 and 1994 Olympics with the Tall Ferns and sister Krystal has also represented the Tall Ferns.
Krystal Leger-Walker
Team: Washington State University
Height: 175cm
Junior Association: Waikato
High School: St Peter’s School, Cambridge
Like her sister Krystal also enjoyed an outstanding year at Washington State University. Received All-Pac 12 Conference Honourable mention after leading the league in assists (109) and averaging 9.8 points per game.
Prior to Washington State she played three-years at the University of Northern Colorado.
She won multiple New Zealand junior titles with both St Peter’s School, Cambridge and Waikato Basketball.
Debuted for the Tall Ferns in 2014. Mother Leanne attended the 1990 and 1994 Olympics with the Tall Ferns and sister Charlisse has also represented the Tall Ferns.
Arielle Mackey-Williams
Team: Auckland Dream
Height: 175cm
Junior Association: Queensland
High School – Tai Wananga ki Ruakura, Hamilton
Averaged 14.4 points per game for Auckland Dream in her NBL debut season in 2021 whilst still at school. Also a member of the Dream team that won the inaugural 3×3 Schick Cup in 2020.
Played for New Zealand silver medal winning team at the 2018 FIBA U18 3×3 Asia Cup.
In 2019 she also played on the New Zealand team at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in New Caledonia. Williams-Mackey led the New Zealand scoring at the championships averaging 12.4ppg.
Kayla Manuirirangi
Team: Waikato Wizards
Height: 170cm
Junior Association – Taranaki
High School – New Plymouth Girls High School
Averaged 15.8ppg for Waikato Wizards in the 2020 Sal’s NBL.
Graduated from Tulane University, New Orleans (NCAA Division I) in 2020 after playing 119 games for the Greenwave. Ended her career tied for ninth at Tulane in 3-pointers made all-time with 157.
In 2014 led New Plymouth Girls High to the double winning the National 3×3 title and the National Secondary Schools Championship – named MVP at that championship.
Played for and captained the NZ U16, U17 and U18 age group teams. Also played for the Junior Tall Ferns (U19s) at the 2014 FIBA U19 Oceania Championships in Fiji.
Katelin Noyer
Team: Auckland Dream
Height: 194cm
Junior Association: North Harbour/Waitakere West
High School: Glenfield College/Westlake Girls High School
Played for Auckland Dream in the 2020 Sal’s NBL.
Debuted for the Tall Ferns on their tour of Europe and China in 2016.
Following her final year at Westlake (2015) headed to Fresno State University (NCAA Division I) on a four year scholarship. Played 76 games for the Bulldogs although her final two-years were hampered by injury. Named to the Mountain West Conference All-Academic Team in 2020.
Esra McGoldrick
Team: Waikato Wizards
Height: 188cm
Junior Association: North Canterbury
High School: Rangi Ruru Girls School
Averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds for Waikato Wizards in the 2020 Sal’s NBL.
McGoldrick was a member of the Tall Ferns team that finished runners-up at the 2019 William Jones Cup.
Played WBC for North Canterbury Spirit in 2018 before heading to North Carolina State University for a year (2018-19).
Played for the Spirit again in 2019 and was named to the WBC Division 2 All-Star 5 after averaging 15 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Sharne Robati
Team: Auckland Dream
Height: 180cm
Junior Association – Counties Manukau
High School – Mt Albert Grammar School
Robati was the leading scorer in the 2020 Sal’s NBL averaging 16.4 points per game.
Played for the Auckland Dream WBC Championship winning team in 2019.
Played on the New Zealand team that won silver at the FIBA U18 3×3 World Cup in Mongolia in 2019 alongside Tayla Dalton and Charlisse Leger-Walker.
In 2018 played on the New Zealand team at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Belarus where she averaged 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Melika Samia
Team: Mount Maunganui College
Height: 174cm
Born: September 12, 2003
Junior Association: Hawkes Bay/Tauranga City
High School: Formerly Napier Girls High School, moved to Mount Maunganui College in 2020
The youngest player at the 2021 Tall Ferns Camp Melika is a Year 13 student at Mount Maunganui College.
Averaged 10.4ppg at the 2018 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship in Papua New Guinea where NZ claimed silver.
Named to the Tournament Team at the 2020 Aon U17 National Championships where she averaged 23 points per game playing for Tauranga City.
She was recently named one of the recipients of a 2021 Tania Dalton Foundation Scholarship.
Emme Shearer
Team: University of Portland
Height: 183cm
Junior Association: North Harbour
High School: Westlake Girls High School
Shearer was named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman Team after finishing fourth on the University of Portland team for scoring (6.5ppg) and third in steals (1.5spg).
She played all 24 games for the Pilots getting a start on 11 occasions in the 2020-21 season.
In 2019 Named MVP at the U19 National Championships after guiding North Harbour to the title.
Also in 2019 she played for New Zealand at the FIBA U18 3×3 Asia Cup in Malaysia.
Josie Stockill
Team: Canterbury University
Height: 186cm
Junior Association: Hawkes Bay
High School: Napier Girls High School
Stockill is currently juggling her Tall Ferns ambition with study for a Masters degree at Canterbury University. She also represented Canterbury Uni at the UTSNZ 3X3 Tertiary Nationals, which they won.
Played three seasons for Sunbury Jets (Melbourne) from 2017-2019, winning the Big V League title in 2017 and 2018.
Debuted for the Tall Ferns on the tour of China in 2014 and was a member of the New Zealand bronze medal winning team at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Stockill graduated from Colgate University in 2016 after an outstanding four year career in which she set a number of records including the programme’s career leader for blocked shots in a game (13), season (105) and career (241).
