By Jeromy Corrigan

2018 Pow Wow Invitational features two teams from New Zealand

Jan 11, 2018 | 12:29 PM

The 2018 Pow Wow Invitational High School Basketball Tournament begins Friday afternoon and will feature both a boys and a girls team from New Zealand.

This is the 4th time a team from New Zealand has competed in the tournament and as Athletics Coordinator of the Grande Prairie Composite High School Troy Sanboe noted, it was a process for all of this to come into fruition.

” There’s a lady here from Grande Prairie who moved to New Zealand several years ago and taught there for several years. When she moved back home she maintained in contact with the school she was with and a few years back they were intending to make a trip over here and I do believe she was still at the school at the time. They then contacted me to arrange some exhibition games and it just turned out to be at the same time as the tournament. “

With the two clubs from New Zealand participating in the tournament, it will provide a different experience for both the players and the people in attendance.

” It’s a good experience for anyone to just come and watch. Traditionally they do the haka before their games and that is quite something to see. It is pretty cool. ” added Sanboe.

Teams at Peace Wapiti Academy and the Grande Prairie Composite High School will also be billeting the players from New Zealand for the few days they are here.

The 2018 Pow Wow Invitational High School Basketball Tournament kicks off Friday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. when the GP Comp boys face New Zealand.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday with the finals at 7:00 p.m. for the girls and 8:45 p.m. for the boys.