Waikato Basketball Council (WBC) welcomes Kayla Manuirirangi onto the staff today in her role as Participation Manager (Primary-Intermediate Basketball).
Manuirirangi returned to New Zealand last year after completing an impressive four-year stint at Tulane University (NCAA Division One).
She went on to for Waikato in the Schick 3X3 Cup, before going on to play in the 2020 Sal’s 18IN18. The Wizards went on to win a silver medal where she led the scoring for her team in the final with 15 points.
Manuirirangi excelled as a basketball student athlete completing a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Public Health and double minoring in Management/Marketing and Psychology.
The former New Plymouth Girls’ High School student, where she won a National 3×3 title and the National Secondary Schools Championship, recently completed a short-term stint working for the Taranaki District Health Board as a Public Health Advisor Intern. While there, she conducted a research study on the iwi-led response to COVID-19 in Taranaki.
Manuirirangi will be focusing on supporting Hamilton-based primary-intermediate schools that participate in WBC leagues.
It has not taken Manuirirangi long to pick up a coaching clipboard. She will be working with the Waikato 11 & Under Girls as well as having a mentoring role with the Waikato Under 17-19 representative players.
“Kayla is going to be a great addition to our staff here at Waikato Basketball. Her key focus will be working with parent coaches and primary-intermediate school athletes,” said WBC Community Manager Anthony Corban.
“We are experiencing massive growth in primary-intermediate sport participation numbers. Volunteer parent coaches need help, and a key part of Kayla’s role will be supporting volunteer school coaches.”
Manuirirangi is looking forward to her new role at WBC.
“When I started having discussions with the staff here at Waikato Basketball about this role, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.
“I’m really looking forward to working in the community and sharing as much as I can with the parent coaches and young kids.
“I will be working with parent coaches in a mentoring and supporting role. Just helping those parents that put their hand up to coach a team, encouraging them to focus on what’s really important with kids at this age and that’s just letting them play and enjoying themselves.”
