The National Basketball League's (NBL) preseason Westside Blitz is back, and 2025 promises to deliver more action and community engagement.
Following the success of 2024, next year’s tournament will expand significantly, with 50 percent more teams, 50 percent more games, and a schedule that brings the action closer to the official tip-off of the NBL season.
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Running from March 4-8, the Westside Blitz will feature 18 games in Greymouth (12 games) and Westport (six games), bringing top-tier semi-professional basketball to the heart of the West Coast.
While the final schedule is yet to be revealed, fans can expect thrilling matchups as teams prepare to tip off the 2025 season.
The reigning West Coast Blitz champions, the Taranaki Airs, will return to defend their title. With an expanded field of teams, their quest for back-to-back championships will be one of the key storylines of the tournament.
Off the court, the Westside Blitz continues to shine as a community-focused event. Over 2000 children will take part in school visits and skills clinics, gaining invaluable insights and inspiration from New Zealand’s top basketball players.
The event also serves as a vital preseason preparation platform for all facets of the league. NBL general manager Maree Taylor emphasised the importance of this aspect:
“The Westside Blitz is not just about getting our players ready for the season. It's an opportunity for our top-level referees to come together and prepare, for statisticians to further their development, and to deliver essential anti-doping education to all athletes and team management. It’s a complete preseason experience that strengthens every part of our league.”
Organisers estimate the 2025 event will surpass last year’s economic impact, which saw over $500,000 injected into the region.
As teams vie for the Westside Blitz Trophy, individual excellence will also be celebrated. The tournament’s most outstanding player will receive the Phill Jones Medal, named in honor of the legendary Tall Black and Reefton native.
Kelvin Fisher, the event’s founder and a proud ex-Coaster, was thrilled about what the expanded tournament will bring.
“After the incredible success of 2024, we’re thrilled to make the Westside Blitz even bigger and better. It’s a celebration of basketball, community, and the unique spirit of the West Coast,” Fisher said.