Roana Paterson

A proud wahine trying to help mould and positively influence sporting environments for rangatahi in Aotearoa.

Born and raised in South Auckland, sport has always been a big part of my life. A Counties Manukau girl at heart, Rotorua has become home, where I am privileged to be able to help shape the future of the sport here. Basketball was the vehicle that opened many doors and experiences in my life and my hope is to give back to a community with so much talent and untouched potential. Driven by people, my why starts with the growth and development of the tomorrow and our younger generations. How can we impact today to provide and guide for a stronger and better tomorrow? I hope to sow the seed for our community to be courageous enough to have a goal and plan, yet humble enough to recognise achieving it will take the efforts of our many people.

My background within sports starts as an athlete and coach. Most recently I reconnected with basketball coaching after an 8-year hiatus, once returning from the USA. During my hiatus I was heavily involved in the water polo community, coaching both boys and girls from grassroots through to national teams. In this time I was also privileged to be involved in HPSNZ Core Knowledge kaupapa and am now part of Te Manaakitanga – Women in Coaching, continuing to grow in leadership and contribution to the sporting landscape in Aotearoa.

The whakapapa of RBA is one that holds great mana and I hope that the legacy we continue to carve out excites our community and expands our opportunities.