The Regional competitions for TUPU League Women’s are now underway, as Associations from across Aotearoa vie for one of 12 spots in next month’s Tupu League Women’s Finals in Tauranga.
Created by Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) as a new competition for 2024, TUPU League exists to provide a competitive option for those athletes who miss out on the higher-tier leagues; bridging a gap that is currently seeing some basketballers hang up their boots due to a lack of opportunities.
The format for both the TUPU League Men’s and Women’s competitions will see Regional qualifiers held in each of the six zones – operated by the Associations themselves – to determine which teams qualify for the BBNZ-run Finals.
The competition is open to amateur athletes who are at least 15 years of age and registered with one of the 36 basketball Associations throughout New Zealand. They must be either a New Zealand citizen, or a foreign player who has been a resident in New Zealand 90 days before the commencement of the competition.
While TUPU League is open to athletes who have played in Sal’s NBL or GJ Gardner Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa leagues, they must have averaged less than 15 minutes per game across the season to be eligible.
12 Teams Sought For TUPU League Women’s Finals
17 Women’s teams are currently in play across the six zones of the competition, with 12 teams in the Northern, Mid-North and Central Zones battling it out in regional play. Seven teams from these areas will progress to the finals, while five teams from Capital, Mainland and Southern Zones automatically qualify for the final round.
A total of 12 teams will compete for the inaugural TUPU League Women’s Cup from 21–23 June at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in Tauranga, with BBNZ awarding a Most Valuable Player Trophy and All Star 5 team at the conclusion of the event.
BBNZ Tournament Lead, Kathrynn Jelas says that TUPU League aims to provide a competition that encourages representative players to continue playing for their local Associations after they finish school or university.
“The TUPU League is in place to encourage participation in the gap between U20 or age group reps, and the Sal’s NBL or Tauihi leagues,” says Jelas.
“It’s not about elite or High Performance competition; TUPU League is about participation and providing a safe place for Kiwi athletes with a competitive edge who want to continue playing. The best way to retain representative players after the U20 Age Group Nationals was to create a unified competition for Associations within the same zone – with BBNZ providing a National Final to determine the overall winner.”
The TUPU League Men’s Regionals will run from 16 September – 25 October, with the Tupu League Men’s Finals run from 14-16 November at Edgar Centre, Dunedin.
TUPU League Regionals Format:
Northern Zone
· Participating Teams: Auckland Dream, Northland Phoenix, Harbour Breeze, Franklin and Counties-Manukau Lady Hawks
· Final Spots: Three teams from this Zone will qualify for National Finals
Mid-North Zone
· Participating Teams: Waikato Wizards, Waikato Country, Tauranga City Basketball Coasters and Te Aroha
· Final Spots: Two teams from this Zone will qualify for National Finals
Central Zone
– Participating Teams: Taranaki Thunder, Manawatu and Gisborne
– Final Spots: Two teams from this Zone will qualify for National Finals
Capital Zone
– Participating Teams: Porirua & Wellington
– Final Spots: both teams automatically qualify for National Finals*
Mainland Zone
– Participating Team: Canterbury Wildcats
– Final Spots**: this team automatically qualify for National Finals*
Southern Zone
– Participating Teams: Otago Gold Rush & Southland
– Final Spots**: both teams automatically qualify for National Finals*
* Teams automatically qualify for the National Finals if there are not enough registered teams in the Zone to run Regional Qualifier events.
** Mainland Zone was originally provided two Finals Spots, while Southern Zone had one. Due to a lack of Associations registering teams in Mainland Zone, their second Finals Spot was gifted to Southern Zone – who had two teams registered.
