The New Zealand Women's U17 basketball team has made history in Bangalore by becoming the first junior-women's national side to qualify for a World Cup.
NZ Women's U17 team in action in Bangalore Photo: Supplied
The New Zealand team have claimed one of the four qualifying spots for the 2018 World Cup in Belarus next July by beating Thailand 80-52 in the quarter-final of the FIBA Asian Championship.
Coach Lori McDaniel says she was thrilled the team had reached their World Cup goal.
"The girls, the coaching staff and management have worked really hard and I think it shows that the game in New Zealand is on the rise. Our junior teams are performing really well."
New Zealand will next meet Japan in the semi- final of the Asian Championship and McDaniel is now focusing on that challenge.
"We are delighted to have achieved our goal of reaching the World Cup but we are also excited to play Japan in the semi-final. Japan are a great team, very disciplined, and they execute well so they will be a true test."
