ACC is investing $340,000 into New Zealand's fastest growing sport in the hopes of preventing injuries.
It's not rugby or football, but the number of Kiwis getting injured on the court is costing tens of millions every year.
Lauren Whittaker is making the most of her second shot after a devastating injury.
"Tore my ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] playing defence while playing basketball and I've been out 10 months," the St Andrews College centre said.
She's not alone. Every year, 20,000 new basketball-related injury claims post up a bill of more than $20 million.
"We have a lot of injuries in ankles and knees and we're hoping being able to put some investment in and do some stuff around how to prevent those injuries will hopefully reduce those numbers considerably," Basketball NZ CEO Dillon Boucher said.
ACC is hoping to play the super sub role, investing $340,000 over the next 18 months into basketball, the fastest growing sport in New Zealand.
"With that comes an increase in injuries obviously so by investing with these guys we want to imbed an injury prevention programme," ACC Injury Prevention Partner Nicola Wilson said.
That programme is now guiding Lauren's pre and post match routine….focusing on reducing injuries and protecting players of all levels.
"It plays a significant role in warming up and cooling down I think and I learnt that the hard way," Whittaker said. "Definitely a major part of preventing injury."
Whittaker's been back on court for two months.
"I'm so grateful to be back, I think you only really understand what you had when you lose it," she said.
Bouncing back to earn a scholarship with top American basketball college programme at Gonzaga next year.
