Henare, Kereama to lead Olympic-chasing New Zealand teams

AUCKLAND (FIBA Basketball World Cup/2015 FIBA Oceania Championships) - Basketball New Zealand has put some familiar faces in charge of their national teams for this summer's FIBA Oceania Championships.

Kennedy Kereama is to remain as coach of the Tall Ferns, while Paul Henare has been promoted from his role as assistant to head coach of the Tall Blacks.

The mission for both will be to get teams to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Pero Cameron, who like Henare played for the Tall Blacks and was in the side that finished fourth at the 2002 FIBA Basketball World Cup, is to continue serving as an assistant coach.

The coaching job for the men's team became vacant when Nenad Vucinic decided after the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup that he would not continue in the role.

Can the New Zealand men reach the Rio de Janeiro Games?

They lost their first three games at the World Cup but bounced back to beat Ukraine and Finland to reach the Round of 16.

The Kiwis then pushed Lithuania to the very end before falling, 76-71.

"I am humbled and incredibly proud to have been named head coach of our national team and will bring the same desire, passion and commitment to the role that I have brought throughout my playing career and more latterly, my coaching career in both the New Zealand and Australian leagues," said Henare, who was also assistant coach on the New Zealand Breakers team that just won a fourth NBL crown in five seasons.

"These are exciting times for the game in this country, we have a core group of experienced players who have tasted success at club and international level.

"The challenge is to blend that group with the exciting next generation of talent that is emerging.

"It must be our goal to not only qualify for and compete at the Olympic Games, but to challenge for a medal in 2016."

I believe that with hard work, good planning and our best talent being available that we can achieve great things - Henare

Cameron was a huge talent in his playing days and last wore the Tall Blacks jersey in 2010 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey.

"Of course I was disappointed not to get the job," he said. "I wouldn't be human if I wasn't.

"But I am ready to throw my support completely behind Paul and congratulate him on securing the head coaching role.

"I was humbled when asked to work with Paul and look forward to helping deliver more great results for our sport and our nation on the international stage."

Kereama, meanwhile, has been given a vote confidence to stay at the helm of the Tall Ferns.

Kennedy Kereama (NZL) has been re-appointed as head coach of New Zealand's senior women's national team. Photo: Getty Images NZ

"I am very humbled to be given the honor of leading the Tall Ferns program again," he said.

"We are transitioning into a very exciting time for basketball with the depth of talent we have playing basketball globally.

"We expect to have a great mix of our collegiate players that are coming through the NCAA system in America available for selection and a good mix of professional players competing in the WNBL and various leagues worldwide. We will also be harnessing our best New Zealand based talent out of our WBC competition."

Both sides face an immense challenge to reach the Olympics, with Australia higher in the FIBA bwin Rankings for Men and Women.

The Opals won all of their games at the World Championship in Turkey last year except the Semi-Final against the eventual champions, USA.

If neither side beats the Australians, each will still have the opportunity to clinch a spot in the Brazil Games via the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

"Our major goal over the next fifteen months is to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics," Kereama said.

"There are only two options for us, beat Australia at the 2015 FIBA qualifying event or qualify through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying event."

"I am currently working with BBNZ [Basketball New Zealand] on creating a schedule of camps and tours that will enable all of our best players to participate and be available to represent the Tall Ferns at the next Oceania event."

Aik Ho is to work as Kereama's assistant.

FIBA