Basketball New Zealand are incredibly pleased to announce the next coaching staff groups for our Junior National Teams in the upcoming FIBA cycle.
Junior Tall Blacks
Josiah Maama has been appointed the Junior Tall Blacks Head Coach role, continuing his development as one of the nation’s best up and coming coaches.
Josiah and brother Sione Maama, are co-founders of Glen Innes based training facility G.I. Rise basketball.
Maama was Dilworth College’s first ever Director of Basketball and has gained plenty of experience as an assistant for coach Aaron Young at the Auckland Tuatara, and also as an assistant coach for current Junior Tall Black coach Matt Lacey.
Taking on the head coach role is something Maama is really looking forward to.
“I’m excited to lead this program, alongside some of the most talented and hard-working coaches I know in Sonny and Joe.
It’s a privilege to not only represent my country in this role, but also my community of Glen Innes and everyone who has helped me get here.
We look forward to improving every day, providing value for these young men and their families and continue to help build the culture and legacy of Tall Blacks Basketball on the world stage.”
Maama will be joined by fellow Auckland based coaches Joe Reddish and Sonny Tuaputa as assistant coaches. Both Reddish and Tuaputa have vast coaching experience including Sal’s NBL and national team involvement.
Head Coach: Josiah Maama (Counties Manukau Basketball Association and Auckland Tuatara)
Assistant Coaches: Joe Reddish (Franklin Basketball and Franklin Bulls), Sonny Tuaputa (Harbour Basketball and Auckland Tuatara).
Junior Tall Ferns
Another incredibly experienced coach who has spent plenty of time within the New Zealand Basketball set up is Ryan Dubbeldam, who is the next Head Coach of the Junior Tall Ferns.
Dubbeldam spent five years in the Manawatū Jets set up, before jetsetting to the bright lights of the US College system where he was a video co-ordinator for the University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team.
He’s also spent time in the National Team set up and has assisted current Junior Tall Ferns coach Josh Thompson for the last couple of years. He also coached the New Zealand Women’s Select team at the 2024 BLIA Cup in Taiwan.
“I am honoured and privileged to be named as the next Junior Tall Fern head coach. I am excited to work with my talented staff as we look to identify the next wave of future Tall Ferns, while eying a spot at the 2027 World Cup.”
Joining Ryan on the coaching staff for the Junior Tall Ferns are current Franklin Bulls assistant coach, Samara Funnell, and experienced age-group national team assistant, Sarah Molisa.
Junior Tall Ferns
Head Coach: Ryan Dubbledam (Manawatū Basketball)
Assistant Coaches: Samara Funnell (Franklin Basketball & Franklin Bulls) and Sarah Molisa (Wellington Basketball Association)
