Checkers Basketball Club Inc.

🏆 CLUB OF THE YEAR 2026 🏆

A huge honour for our club, and recognition of the incredible people who make up the Checkers whānau - our players, coaches, managers, volunteers, families, supporters and affiliate schools.

Every one of you has played a part in the growth of Checkers and the culture we continue to build.

We’re proud of where we are, grateful to everyone who has helped get us here, and excited about what comes next.

2026 CBA CLUB OF THE YEAR. 🏆 ❤️🖤

🔥 FIVE-PEAT! 🏆

Checkers Women have done it again - Canterbury Basketball Premier champions for the fifth consecutive year, after a commanding 102–55 Grand Final win.

Grand Final MVP Maiyah Lavea-Martin led the way with 23 points, shooting 9/14 from the field (64%), including a perfect 7/7 from two. Eva Jeffries added 22, Joanna Macaskill 19 and Emilia Ainley 15 on 7/8 shooting (87%).

With head coach Olivia O’Neill away with other basketball commitments, Tyler Herbert stepped in to guide the team on finals day.

Five straight Canterbury titles. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Some players are missing from the official presentation photos, having had to head off to their school formal.

🏀 SIX CHECKERS CONNECTIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE 🇳🇿

As we head into Finals Day on the local scene, six players who have worn the Checkers colours in recent years are currently representing New Zealand on the international stage.

🇳🇿 Josh & Nic Book, Maddie Morrow and Niamh Chamberlain are representing New Zealand at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League 2026 – Asia in Malaysia, with Nic and Niamh having worn Checkers colours just a couple of weeks ago.

🇳🇿 Charlotte & Lauren Whittaker are part of the 2degrees Tall Ferns at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico, with New Zealand through to the semi-finals against Canada on Sunday morning NZT.

Six players with a Checkers connection, now flying the flag for New Zealand. 🇳🇿❤️🖤

We’re super proud to see players who have been part of our club representing New Zealand on the international stage.

🏆 FINALS DAY! 🏆

All the best to the teams from our Checkers affiliate schools, St Andrew’s College and St Bede’s College, competing in today’s CBA Winter Club Basketball Grand Finals! 🔴⚫️

🏀 St Andrew’s College - French Cup
9:00am | Cowles 1

🏀 St Andrew’s College - U16 Girls
9:00am | Cowles 2

🏀 St Bede’s College - U17 Boys
10:45am | Cowles 2

🏆 MVP. First Team. Finnian Luxton-Russell.

A standout 2026 season has been recognised with Finnian named in the CBA Division One Men’s First Team and crowned MVP.

Averaging 19.9 points per game across 14 games, including 50 three-pointers, Finnian was a key contributor to a strong season for Checkers White.

A huge individual achievement and well-deserved recognition for a player who made a real impact throughout the year.

Congratulations Finnian! 🔴⚫

FINALS SATURDAY

🏆 WOMEN’S PREMIER
Chasing a 5-PEAT and will face University of Canterbury in the Premier final. After another strong season, they’ll be looking to continue their run and bring home another championship.

🏀 MEN’S U20 DIVISION 2
Senior AA have put together an outstanding 11–1 season and now have Gators Grey standing between them and the title. The two teams last back on 25th April, adding another interesting chapter to what should be a great final.

Saturday 22 August | Cowles Stadium

12:30PM - Checkers vs University of Canterbury
2:15PM - Checkers Senior AA vs Gators Grey

Come down to Cowles, get behind both teams and bring the Checkers support!

ONE CLUB. ALL CHECKERS. 🔴⚫

🏀 CBA FIRST TEAMS | AFFILIATE SCHOOL ATHLETES 🏀

Time to celebrate the six athletes from our affiliate schools who have been recognised in CBA representative teams! 👏🔥

🔴 U17 Boys
🏆Max Wallace (St Bede’s College) - MVP

🔴 U20 Men
Archie Haldane (St Bede’s College)

🔴 U16 Girls
🏆 Maiyah Lavea-Martin (St Andrew’s) - MVP
Mia Wilkins (St Andrew’s)

🔴 French Cup
Sophie Schouten (St Andrew’s)
Maniah Taefu (St Andrew’s)

A fantastic achievement for all six athletes and a great reflection of the talent coming through our affiliate schools. 👏🏀

St Bede's College Basketball St Andrew's College Basketball