We have to go back to 2006, when India were the visitors, to find the last time the Tall Ferns played a three test series in New Zealand outside the Oceania Championship. Hardly a regular occurrence then, this upcoming Christchurch Casino International Women’s Basketball Series against Japan is made even more special given that it is being played in Christchurch and Ashburton, a region that has a proud basketball heritage.
The Tall Ferns squad boasts just one Canterbury player, teenage centre Tessa Boagni. However head coach Kennedy Kereama and team manager Gail McLauchlan both hail from the Garden City.
Kereama cut his teeth coaching age group Canterbury teams before moving to Australia to coach professionally.
Ever since it was announced that the three game series would be held in his home city Kereama has had August 5th, the opening game of the series at Cowles Stadium, ringed boldly in his diary.
“Playing against Japan in Christchurch is a great opportunity. Any chance to play in New Zealand, but particularly your hometown, is pretty special. I’m really looking forward to seeing the Canterbury basketball community and obviously catching up with friends at the same time. The best thing is we have three games against quality opposition to prepare for Australia which is our main focus.”
“Being at home is always special, you spend so much time away from New Zealand. It’s always the small things you miss about New Zealand, family, friends the people, the players – it’s great to be home.”
Boagni, just 19 years of age, only made her first international appearance in Taiwan seven days ago but expects the nerves to be greater playing in front of family and former school mates than it was against Chinese Taipei a week ago.
“It’s a big big game, it’s a game for your country, it’s at the top level and also a game at home in front of all my friends and family, most of which I haven’t seen for a year since I went to college.
It will be nerve wracking but at the same time very exciting too.”
The Tall Ferns will be heartened by their improved performances during last week’s William Jones Cup, the 79-54 victory over the American Select team on the final day, a real fillip for the team.
The Tall Ferns will get a good gauge as to where they are at as the Japanese team arrives having played the Australian Opals in a three test series last week in Australia. Japan lost the first two encounters but bounced back to win game three in Ballarat 76-75.
Tickets are selling well for all three tests.
Games 1 and 2 will be held at Cowles Stadium, Christchurch.
Game one on Wednesday August 5th begins at 11.30am with the Canterbury Basketball Association making over 1,000 tickets available to local school groups.
Game 2 is a 7.30pm tip-off on Friday August 7th.
An additional 150 seats have been added at the EA Centre in Ashburton to cope with demand for the third game on Sunday August 9th.
Tickets can be purchased via the Canterbury Rams website.
