NZ U17’s Women’s National Team coach, Mel Bennett has announced an extended squad of 16 talented junior athletes who will attend a U17 National Women’s Selection Camp in Tokoroa on 1-4 March 2024.
The selected athletes are: Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, Chanel Enriquez-Paea, Bailey Flavell, Sophia Hickey, Keriana Hippolite, Pahlyss Hokianga, Jennifer Mailei, Taia McMechan, Graecyn Parahi, Ophelia Powell, Emma Rogers, Storey Sadler, Kodee Williams-Sefo, Manaree Te Paki, Cassidy Thomson and Gia Vukona.
These athletes will all be fighting for a spot in the New Zealand U17 Women’s National Team, with the squad travelling to the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup – held in Guanajuato, Mexico from 13-21 July.
The camp sees almost the return of almost the entire squad from the bronze medal-winning 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Champs campaign. Among these returnees is Pahlyss Hokianga; the 16-year-old becoming one of New Zealand’s youngest ever Tall Ferns last month, when she suited up for New Zealand at the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in China.
New additions to the camp include the welcome return of Sadler and Williams-Sefo from injury, alongside Australian-based Kiwis McMechan, Te Paki and Gia Vukona – the latter being the daughter of Tall Blacks great Mika Vukona.
Coach Bennett says that the experience for Hokianga was a vital part of her future growth as an athlete on the world stage.
“With Pally, she always knew she was going to be playing in a Tall Ferns jersey – but it was a pleasant surprise for it to be so soon in her basketball journey,” says Bennett.
“The injuries to the other girls in the squad kind of opened the door for Pally, and she’s really enjoyed the experience. Since then I’ve seen her confidence has grown; to be able to tour with the senior women’s national team – and be exposed to the level of professionalism that exists in that international setting – has been huge for her.”
Coach Bennett believes this training camp is key to unlocking a strong and competitive squad to represent New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in four months’ time.
“This camp is really key in terms of solidifying some of the spots available for the upcoming World Cup campaign; it’s going to be competitive for players that have been in the mix before, they’re going to really have to step up to earn their spot against some of the newcomers we have coming in.
“There’s a lot of things we’ve put in place since we went to Jordan (in 2023) and Guam (in 2022); for us it’s asking the question – what do we need to do to be ready to compete right now on the world stage? Could we take a player tomorrow or next week and be confident that they’re going to perform?
“There’s a range of different criteria we’re looking at; such as what is each player’s pathway and the long-term vision – do we see them in a Tall Ferns jersey, what are their goals around their IPPs (Individual Performance Plan)?”
Bennett says that fitness standards have also been a key focus for this squad in year three.
“The fitness standards have been elevated for their group heading into the World Cup; we need to make sure we can meet those standards before we travel. The last couple of training camps, we’ve seen players who have really pushed the boundaries of this and elevated their levels from two years ago – some of the development has been incredible.”
“As a coaching group, we’re looking now at who we’re going to play against [at World Cup] and we’re working out the type of athletes we’ll need to compete – and win – against these countries. So this training camp is really key.”
U17 Women’s National Selection Camp Attendees, Mar 2024
Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, Rotorua Basketball Association
Chanel Enriquez-Paea, Outside of NZ
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball Association
Sophia Hickey, Outside of NZ
Keriana Hippolite, Outside of NZ
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Jennifer Mailei, Outside of NZ
Taia McMechan, Outside of NZ
Graecyn Parahi, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Ophelia Powell, Canterbury Basketball Association
Emma Rogers, Tauranga Basketball Association
Storey Sadler, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Kodee Sefo-Williams, Harbour Basketball Association
Manaree Te Paki, Outside of NZ
Cassidy Thomson, Outside of NZ
Gia Vukona, Outside of NZ
