The Hawke’s Bay Hawks are thrilled to announce their upcoming preseason clash against the Manawatu Jets, set to take place in Waipukurau on February 22nd at the Centralines Sports Complex. This exciting matchup will give basketball fans in Central Hawke’s Bay a front-row seat to the action as the Hawks gear up for the 2025 season.
Building on the success of last year’s preseason event in Wairoa, the northernmost end of our region, the Hawks are heading south this year to bring the excitement of basketball to Central Hawke’s Bay and ensure the entire Hawke’s Bay community gets the chance to experience the action.
“We’re excited to bring Hawks basketball to CHB this year,” says Hawke’s Bay Hawks General Manager Jarrod Kenny. “This preseason game is not just about getting the team ready—it’s a chance to connect with our community and make basketball accessible to all of our supporters across the region.”
In addition to the games, the day will kick off with a kids’ skills clinic from 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM at the Centralines Sports Complex. Led by the Hawks’ players and coaches, the clinic will provide young basketball enthusiasts with the opportunity to improve their skills, participate in drills, and interact with the team.
The action continues in the afternoon, featuring two back-to-back games that showcase both Rapid League and SalsNBL preseason matchups.
The Centralines Sports Complex is an intimate venue with limited seating, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure their spot and ensure they don’t miss any of the action.
Basketball fans are also invited to stick around after the game to meet their favourite players and collect autographs during the signing session. This is an exciting opportunity for the local community to get up close with professional basketball while celebrating the growing passion for the sport in Central Hawke’s Bay.
“We need to acknowledge the support from Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and Centralines Sports Complex for their contribution to making this event possible, says Hawks Chairperson Sally Crown, their commitment to promoting sports and fostering community engagement has been instrumental in bringing this preseason game to CHB.”
