Taranaki Airs primed for seasons start 

Will Johnston  

 

Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron is starting to have an influence on the Taranaki Airs.  

In October, the 47-year-old was appointed as the Airs’ director of basketball and will work under head coach Trent Adam during the upcoming national basketball league (NBL).  

Airs general manager Mitchell Langton said Cameron’s influence is the reason for the team signing several key players.   

“He’s just someone who’s been around and done it so many different times. He works with all the high-end level players of New Zealand and has massive relationships worldwide,” he said.   

“He’s probably the reason why the players we’ve signed are popping up because he’s an influence on their futures.”  

Ahead of the start of the delayed season, Hamilton’s Caleb Smiler, Canterbury’s Benji Freeman and Otago’s Richie Rodger are notable signings so far. Haize Walker, Tai Wynyard (pictured) and Carlin Davison are just some who have re-committed to the Airs with more to come, Langton said.   

He said he liked the rule change where the NBL allows clubs to sign three imports, up from two.  

Cameron is also an advantage for Adam too. The pair recently led the Tall Blacks in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Manila, with Adam Cameron’s assistant coach. The Tall Blacks won their three matches against the Phillippines and India twice.  

“Trent and Pero work so well together and have a tight system. Pero is working with him a lot. 

“Trent has been here through our hardship and taken a lot of sacrifices so it’s his time to start reaping those rewards,” he said.  

The two roles will be reversed come the start of the season.  

Taranaki were meant to be away to Southland in their first match on Thursday, April 7 but instead will play the Auckland Tuatara on Saturday, April 30. The first four games will be tagged onto the end of the season.  

Langton said the team were already prepared for the original start date after outside players have been here since November.  

For the first home game in early May, the Airs are working on strategies to accommodate the 200-person limit indoors, with exclusive entry to sponsors and members.   

“We’ve got things in place in case capacity limits are increased or if we go to orange. I’m confident we will be able to get more than that 200 people in moving forward.”  

Once the season is underway, Taranaki will enjoy six consecutive home games during May and June, with a total of 10 matches at the TSB Stadium. 

Langton said the draw card for players coming to Taranaki is the support by the fans. 

“Hopefully we win our first few games and drum up support for those home games.”