![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/hRpWUc2AzBZnq38Q.jpg\")
A recent Whai school holiday camp (Photo\/Supplied)<\/p>\n
Press Release \u2013 Volunteering Services<\/p>\n
General manager Adam Dunstan says Whai was founded five years ago with a vision of using basketball to build a more vibrant, socially connected city.<\/p>\n
Whai Basketball is calling for more volunteers to help deliver game-day experiences while continuing to create pathways for young Bay of Plenty players to pursue professional basketball careers without leaving Tauranga.<\/p>\n
A recent Whai school holiday camp (Photo\/Supplied)<\/p>\n
General manager Adam Dunstan says Whai was founded five years ago with a vision of using basketball to build a more vibrant, socially connected city.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re about much more than professional basketball,\u201d Adam says. \u201cOur professional teams are what people see on television, but behind that, there\u2019s a huge amount of work happening in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whai operates men\u2019s and women\u2019s National Basketball League teams alongside a community programme offering player development, school visits, holiday camps and academy training.<\/p>\n
Adam says the academy is designed to identify local talent early and develop players through to the professional level. This season, six academy graduates have appeared for the men\u2019s team, while the women\u2019s programme is also expected to field six graduates.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur founders committed to developing local players, and now we\u2019re seeing athletes reach the highest level of basketball in New Zealand,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Whai players also visit schools throughout the year, introducing children to basketball and showing them they can build a future in the sport while staying in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
Volunteers are essential to Whai\u2019s home games, helping with ticketing, entry management, hospitality, merchandise, game-day setup and creating an enjoyable experience for fans. The organisation is recruiting volunteers for six home games between late September and late November.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/yZ19a6HWc3fzYWPH.jpg\")
Whai fans enjoying a game (Photo\/Supplied)<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople don\u2019t have to be basketball fans to volunteer,\u201d Adam says. \u201cIf they want to help create something positive for Tauranga and be part of a great live sporting experience, we\u2019d love to have them involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteer Vivek says joining Whai has helped him stay connected with basketball while becoming part of the Whai wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n
As the organisation continues to grow, Adam says community support will be key.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sport is only going to get bigger, and we want the community to come on that journey with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
To learn more about volunteer opportunities across the Bay of Plenty, visit the Volunteering<\/p>\n
Services website www.volunteeringservices.org.nz or call 07 987 0920.<\/p>\n
Jump straight into action with Whai at:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.volunteeringservices.org.nz\/volunteers\/?opp_id=125758<\/a><\/p>\n \nContent Sourced from scoop.co.nz<\/a>
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