A UNIQUE curtain-raiser competition to ensure bench players in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa competition will maintain match fitness will launch in 2023. Earlier this month, Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) announced the formation of the Rapid League, which will be a shortened curtain-raiser match between the two teams prior to the main match, which will allow crucial minutes for players who might otherwise might not get a chance.

The Rapid League is believed to be a world first, with the curtain-raiser to consist of four by four-minute quarters with similar rules in place as the full match. Only those players not named as starters for their respective teams can take part in the Rapid League, with up to seven bench players eligible to compete in the tournament.

Adding to the importance of depth in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa competition, the Rapid League will feature its own championship ladder, as well as a season Most Valuable Player (MVP) and other individual awards. Rapid League wins will also earn a portion of points towards the official Tauihi ladder.

New Zealand Tall Ferns head coach Guy Molloy described the Rapid League as a “revolutionary innovation and game-changer” for the competition.

“Rapid League will help fast-track player development in a major way and the flow-through to the Tall Ferns is a positive. I really like the concept and that every player across the squad has a legitimate role to play,” Molloy said.

“Our players need to be playing more regularly, and Tauihi has already proven to be a success for our top-end talent. What I really like about Rapid League is the opportunity to perform is now spread across the whole team, especially to the next crop of players.

“With this innovation we will see players emerge and develop quicker, and they will stay in the game longer because they are active, which is important for us. Going forward the Tall Ferns programme will benefit from Rapid League.”

Tokomanawa Queens are the reigning champions of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa competition, and the general manager, Walter Taulelei said it would add another element to the league.

“Innovation is the future currency of all sports, and the inclusion of the Rapid League in Tauihi shows basketball’s intent to be the leading participation and entertainment sport in New Zealand,” he said.

“Rapid League will stress test the depth of every roster, impressing on players, coaches and management that their contribution come game day will significantly impact the shape of each team’s entire season. “I think Rapid League will be one of those things we look back on as a positive step forward for the development of players and the game overall.”

Former New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) General Manager now Head of Commercial and Events at Sky Sport, Justin Nelson is credited with the idea, with his passion for basketball and providing opportunities for as many as possible at the forefront of the Rapid League.

“My focus is always on creating new commercial opportunities for the league and all the teams, getting the game more coverage on television, while also finding a way for players down the end of the bench to play a more meaningful role – which will also make a coach’s life easier,” Nelson said.

“I hope the fans and viewers enjoy it. I know they will love seeing every player on the team playing. Fans don’t like seeing players sitting on the bench and not being involved, they want to see the next crop of stars on court. Rapid League will do this.”

Though the rules are largely the same from an in-game perspective, the shortened matches will only feature team fouls – rather than personal ones – with overtime periods of one minute for draws, and only one player timeout per team, per game. At the charity stripe, players will only take one free throw, with the maximum two points awarded for making it.

For more information on the Rapid League as well as all the comings and goings in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, check out the competition’s website.