Our Story

The essence of Jets Basketball is community.

We were one of eight foundation teams in the National Basketball League’s inaugural season in 1982. In 1992 we made it to our first NBL Grand Final, and finally made another one in 2020. Initially known as the Palmerston North Jets, we changed our name to the Manawatū Jets for the 2002 season to represent our wider region. After a couple of years out of the league, we re-entered for the 2018 season, and we continue to represent our region with pride and everything we have to give.

Our vision now centres on community - primarily in what we can offer kids in our community. The kids who play in the playgrounds around the region, in our school yards, at the Arena, and in weeknight competitions. Our vision for them is opportunity. We’re opening doors for every Manawatū child who aspires to play basketball at the highest level.

Creating Change

The sport of basketball is growing at an exponential rate in New Zealand and is the second in popularity only to football.

Kiwi superstar Steven Adams is leading the charge and the future looks bright for basketball in our country.

Despite the positive direction of the sport, the unfortunate reality for our youth is that once they leave high school, 95% will never play competitively again. The 5% who do will more than likely be confined to the benches of teams already over-supplied with experienced players.

The Jets model provides an alternative to this trend and enables kids within our region the chance to follow their dreams and play for their team - our Property Brokers Manawatū Jets!

Our board is fully committed to ensuring a pathway to success remains open for the more than 2,500 kids who play in competitions in our area every season. Our objective is to provide skilled players an avenue to achieve their goal of playing the game they love to the best of their ability, and at the highest possible level.