Basketball New Zealand is proud to announce the Junior Tall Ferns squad selected to represent Aotearoa at the upcoming FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Cup, taking place in Samoa from 8 to the 13 December 2025.
These exceptional young athletes have earned their spots through dedication, talent, and hard work, and will be aiming to take the first step toward qualifying for the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Junior Tall Ferns – FIBA U17 Oceania Cup Squad:
- Hannah Toli – North Canterbury Basketball Association
- Shaliyah Forbes – Southern District Spartans
- Isabella Gillard – Tauranga City Basketball
- Jessie Whinwray – North Gold Coast Seahawks
- Nadia De Thierry – Canterbury Basketball Association
- Kiana Brown – Basketball Otago
- Ngahirata Jennings-Haumaha – Rotorua Basketball Association
- Gia Vukona – Logan Thunder
- Kahsia Bailey-Nowell – Basketball Taranaki
- Sahara Katene – Harbour Basketball
- Keija Miringaorangi – Waikato Basketball
- Lily Ashton – Waikato Basketball
Non-Traveling Reserves:
- Lucy Dawson – Harbour Basketball
- Vera Schmidt – Wellington Basketball
- Jaylah Teki – Tauranga City Basketball
The squad features exciting talent, including Gia Vukona, daughter of Tall Blacks legend Mika Vukona, and Kahsia Bailey-Nowell, daughter of former Tall Black Aaron Bailey-Nowell, both continuing their families’ proud basketball legacies.
Head Coach Ryan Dubbeldam reflected on the significance of this squad, sharing his optimism for what this group can achieve:
“Super happy to announce a talented squad of athletes from around the country, who we believe can take the first step in December to becoming the first Junior Tall Ferns group to make it to a World Cup. We are excited by the skill level, athleticism and character in both the present and what these young ladies will progress to be as adults. The future is bright.”
The team is scheduled to depart around 3 December, with final travel details to be confirmed. Basketball New Zealand extends its congratulations to all those named, and its gratitude to the families, coaches, and communities who have supported these athletes throughout their journeys.
We look forward to seeing the Junior Tall Ferns represent Aotearoa with pride and passion on the international stage.
