New Zealand's first professional women's basketball league is about to tip off.
Mainland Pouakai host the inaugural match against South Island rivals Southern Hoiho on Wednesday, in a historic move for the game in New Zealand.
"I thought if I wanted to be a paid athlete, I'd have to play netball," Mainland's Tessa Boagni said.
"To be able to do this at home is amazing."
Not all of the players are Kiwis, the league's five teams all allowed a quota of three imports each.
"The cold is… [I'm] still getting used to that," said US import Cierra Walker. "The 19-hour time difference, still getting used to that.
"Other than that, it's been super awesome."
Trinity Baptiste has had a unique path to New Zealand's first women's professional league.
"I only knew about the rugby team when it came to New Zealand," she said. "I didn't know anything else, so I'm here to learn the culture."
Earlier this year she was playing in the same Russian league as WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is currently being detained there on charges of cannabis possession.
"We were fine in Russia, but I was thinking about the lives that were being taken in Ukraine," she continued.
"You just know things are bigger than basketball."
Three top-line imports and four Tall Ferns isn't a bad start. Then there's the coach.
That's because Tulli Bevilaqua is a former WNBA Champion with Seattle - and world champion with Australia.
"For us to have her as a coach, I honestly have to pinch myself," added Boagni.
"Now it also gives the youth the vision of what they can aspire to be as well, and so it has a really big trickle effect," said Bevilaqua.
"History is about to be made here."
An effect the Mainland Pouakai can't wait to see unfold.
"This is special, this is gonna be special for us," added Baptiste.
Their eyes are now firmly fixed on creating more history as the league's first-ever champions.
