Auckland Tuatara assistant coaches Sonny Tuiputa and Josiah Maama will return to the franchise for another season in 2023.
The pair proved the perfect foil for coach Aaron Young as the Tuatara roared their way to the championship final in their debut season.
Tuiputa is coaching at Rosmini College and works with Tides providing in-school skills training while Maama is at Dilworth and runs a not-for-profit program called GI Rise in Glen Innes, providing a community basketball program.
“It is great to have Sonny and Josiah back with us for another season,” Young said. “Bringing them back was never in doubt for me, it was more a case of making sure this was the best thing for them.
“Both men undoubtedly had other opportunities available to them, so I am thrilled they have decided to return.”
The Tuatara will also welcome back team manager Carl Murray for another season – Murray is highly respected and a key part of driving the Tuatara culture.
The Tuatara will play all nine regular season home games at Eventfinda Stadium in 2023 with season memberships on sale now.