Q. There is quite a bit of continuity in the squad from last season. How did last seasons slow start play into that decision to bring back a good amount of the squad?
A. We spent a lot of timing analysing how we put a roster together. Every year we learn more as we experience different things. Our big focus was to have the majority of the roster available from the get-go this season. We talked about what type of player we wanted and how they needed to be selfless. I feel we have done that and I’m really happy with where we have landed. The coaching staff have been amazing – they have not stopped living and breathing putting a roster together from the moment we confirmed their appointment.
Q. Do we have any more signings we are looking to make?
A. We have another import spot up our sleeves and have got a player in mind that will really add to our roster. He’s been a star in this League before, and I know fans will be excited to see him play. We might have one or two tricks that we could use should we feel the need to but I’m pretty stoked with the roster we have assembled.
Q. There are a number of exciting young prospects coming through the Academy. How has the Academy helped shape the Rapid League squad and up into the main team?
A. It is great to see players coming out of the Albany New World Academy in its first season. It is a vital initiative for our franchise. The 2026 crop looks really talented, and I know there will some players that will make an impact this season. The exciting thing is some of them are still at school and players we can see helping us for the next couple of seasons or more.
Q. Along with the Academy, you also have the School Holiday Camps and the new Coaching with the Stars. What can you tell us about these and how important are they to connecting the Tuatara to the wider Auckland basketball community?
A. Massively important. Unlike most of the other franchises, we aren’t the biggest sporting franchise in our city. Unlike all of the other franchises, we aren’t even the biggest basketball franchise in Auckland. We understand our place in the basketball eco-system and for us to thrive we need to be that link between school and representative basketball and the professional game. The Breakers are a much bigger step up, so our place is very much in the community. We are in the schools every week, trying to introduce kids to basketball.
Q. Last season the team won best game presentation. What was so unique about going to a live Tuatara game and what new experiences can the fans expect in 2026?
A. Organised chaos. Sometimes not even organised. We need to provide fans with a fun time no matter what happens on the court. Having a successful team helps, having a team full of home-grown players helps but we need to be about entertainment. There is an average of 500 events in Auckland every weekend and we are competing against them all, plus usual things like going out to dinner or to the movies. If you come to our games, you’ll get some good-natured fun regardless of whether the team wins or loses.
Q. Lastly we’ve been close a number of times to winning the competition. What will it take for the team to bring home the trophy in 2026?
A. Hopefully the roster we have assembled, plus some good fortune on the injury front, a strong culture, a desperation to be part of the first Tuatara team to win a Sal’s NBL championship and If I’m being completely honest, a fair amount of luck. We can do everything we possible can but there are still a lot of things left to chance – who is hot when it counts, do you get those tight refereeing decisions, does the bounce of the ball go our way? We have had to be careful not to over-analyse the times we have come up just short. We’re obviously doing a lot right and we need to make sure that changes we make are things that will help us and not push us in the opposite direction.