Kahu head coach Jody Cameron during the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa competition. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A New Zealand basketball legend, a former Football Fern, a dual international, a New Zealand tennis representative and the founder of a women's sports media organisation have created history.
The five women have come together to purchase the Kāhu basketball team, making the national champions the first all-women-owned sports team in Aotearoa.
Kāhu coach and former Tall Fern Jody Cameron is part of the quintet that believe they are part of a world-first: the first time a sports team has been solely owned, coached, and managed by an all-female team.
"We want to create environments where professional women athletes can excel, where women can be themselves, and where the foundation is there to support their growth," Cameron said.
The Kāhu, which represents Auckland and Northland, are one of five teams in the rapidly growing Tauihi league, which enters its third season next month.
Joining Cameron in the ownership group is former Football Fern and Olympian Rachel Howard; a World Cup winning former England rugby captain Paula 'Georgie' George who also represented Wales in netball; Jo Caird a former New Zealand junior tennis representative and the first official photographer for the All Blacks; and American Dani Marshall the founder of the award-winning womenzsports media outlet.
"This purchase is about more than basketball - it's about reshaping the narrative of women's sports in New Zealand and globally," Caird said.
"Now is the time to reimagine the possibilities for women's sport in New Zealand. We've seen how differently female athletes perform on the court/field; now, let's see what we can do as owners."
(L-R): Rachel Howard (inset), Jo Caird, Dani Marshall, Jody Cameron, “Georgie” Paula George Photo: Mel Marshall
Howard said the best time to invest in women's sports "is now".
"We aim to prove that women's sports are commercially viable in New Zealand, and we plan to use that business model to elevate all women's sports across the country."
The ownership group was bringing a fresh approach to sports franchises, Marshall said.
"We've seen the traditional models and we know what needs to be done better. Women's sports fans deserve a purpose-built engagement strategy that welcomes overlooked communities who may not even consider themselves 'sports fans.'
"We want to earn the trust of our community so they want to invest in the team - both figuratively and literally."
George said the women wanted the ownership group to "reflect our society."
"An integral part of our work is around creating pathways for young girls to see new opportunities."
The Tauihi league was the first professional women's basketball league in New Zealand and it committed to pay parity with the men's league from the tip off.
Player wages in the women's league would more than double for the upcoming season.
The Kāhu start their title defence on 6 October against the Southern Hoiho.