Azure Anderson’s life is a delicate balance of power and care – delivering babies one moment, playing professional basketball the next. While working full-time as a midwife, she’s also in her fourth season playing for the BNZ Kāhu in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league.
In both of her careers, Azure surrounds herself with strong, caring women – and it’s the only way she can juggle both.
The power of female role models
She explains, “Having all of these female role models around me really helps. They’re understanding and accommodating because they want to see me achieve in both sides of my life.”
There are days when Azure, 28, has an evening training with the Kāhu, then heads straight to North Shore Hospital to start a night shift in the maternity ward.
“I’m learning how to adjust my body clock,” she confesses.
“There have definitely been times when I’ve thought, ‘Can I do both?’ But it’s never been a question of giving up one of them because I love both careers so much.”
Inspiring female leadership
Azure feels right at home with the Auckland-based Kāhu, New Zealand’s first sports franchise owned, coached and managed by women. This season, the team has gained another powerhouse female influence off the court – Olympic great Dame Lisa Carrington, who’s joined as an owner.
For Azure, it’s another example of how the Kāhu connects her with women whose careers offer lessons in balance and longevity.
As Lisa, 36, tells Woman’s Day, “I hope to inspire the team by sharing insights from my own sporting journey, whether it’s around mindset, resilience or navigating a professional career.”
Being a co-owner of the Kāhu has given the kayaking legend the chance to experience a different side of sport, which she’s enjoying.
Championing women’s sport
“I’m proud to be involved with the team and everything it stands for,” enthuses Lisa, who’s just back from the US, where she watched the LA Sparks play in the WNBA.
“I hope to help drive greater visibility and conversation around the team, the Tauihi league and the women’s game as a whole. As an athlete, I understand the power of representation, so I want to use my platform to amplify what these players are doing.”
The other four Kāhu owners, alongside Lisa, have also represented their countries in different sports codes, including former Football Fern Rachel Howard, New Zealand junior tennis player Jo Caird, England rugby captain Paula “Georgie” George, plus Tall Ferns legend and Kāhu head coach Jody Cameron.
From the US to New Zealand
It was Jody’s encouragement that convinced young shooting star Aliyah Matharu to leave the States to play her inaugural season as a pro basketballer in New Zealand.
“It was my first time being away from home, so I was nervous in case I got homesick,” admits Aliyah, 24, who’s played five years of university basketball in the US.
“But when I spoke to Jody, she was very enthusiastic and it was great timing because I was struggling to find a team. Kāhu swooped in and saved me!”
Guided by teammates
Having Tall Ferns rookie Waiata Jennings on her team in her final year at Baylor University in Texas also helped Aliyah with her decision.
She says, “I was able to ask Waiata a lot of questions about the place. She convinced me the weather would be nice and warm here!”
The Kāhu have already become like family to Aliyah.
She smiles, “Being part of a team is huge for me. I’m an only child, so it means a lot to meet new people, learn about their culture and work on perfecting my craft in a different part of the world. I’m also enjoying the clean food here.”
Strong women, strong orgnisation
She’s especially impressed by the Kāhu’s structure.
“A team run by women – I couldn’t imagine being part of a better organisation. There are teams in the US that don’t have a single woman on staff. It’s super-cool to see strong women who care and are trying to make a difference in basketball.”
Meanwhile, Azure – the daughter of Kiwi league star Vinnie Anderson – is proud to call New Zealand home after four seasons playing basketball in France.
“Following my midwifery career here and playing basketball at a high level is such a blessing,” she shares.
“I always thought I’d have to live overseas to play at this standard.”
Shaping the future of women’s sport
She’s thrilled by how the Kāhu are shaping the future of the sport and empowering young women along the way.
She grins, “It’s hard for women in sport, so it’s amazing having female management who are so understanding and supportive. I feel I can achieve a lot more because they’ve paved the way for us. “Last season, we reached a lot more young girls, we had more sold-out stadiums and our youth programmes visited so many schools. The growth of the sport here has been huge, and the league just gets bigger and better every year.”
The BNZ Kāhu play the Southern Hoiho at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium at 3pm on Sunday, screening live on Sky Sport.
For info, visit kahu.basketball.
