Terms 2 and 3 (Winter)
Inter-school basketball takes place on Tuesday (Thomson Trophy – Senior A), Friday evenings (CSS competition – Senior and Years 9–11 teams) or Saturday (CBA competition – U20, U17 and U15 sides). Year 9 teams play after school on Friday or in U15 sides on Saturday. Games are usually played in school gymnasiums.
All teams are managed by College staff and or parents and coached in practices by external professionals. Several of the external coaches are linked with the Canterbury Rams.
Basketball Convenor Nicole Gleason – email hidden; JavaScript is required
Refereeing and social basketball: Kirsty Howatson – email hidden; JavaScript is required
email hidden; JavaScript is requiredemail hidden; JavaScript is requiredVenue: Upper West, Christ's College
Training: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (depending on team)
Uniform: College basketball uniform
Recent Success
2025
- Finished 2nd in New Zealand at the Secondary Schools National Championships, after topping one of the strongest pools in the tournament.
- A player was named to the National Tournament Team, recognising one of the top performances at the championships.
- Players achieved national and international honours, including selection in New Zealand age-group teams and regional championship-winning sides.
2024
- The Junior A team finished 3rd in the SISS
- The Senior B team 3rd place in A tournament
- The Senior A team achieved an undefeated in the Thomson Trophy, marking their fifth consecutive final appearance and four wins in five years.
- The U20 Black team made history by winning the U20 Men's Division 1 competition.
2023
- Winner of Grocott Trophy - CBA Junior competition
- Runner-up in the Thomson Trophy
- Runner-up at the South Island Secondary Schools tournament
- 5th place at the New Zealand Secondary Schools tournament
Basketball Coaching Staff
Nicole Gleason
Nicole Gleason
Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Texas Wesleyan University in the United States, Nicole Gleason has experience in event management and marketing. As the new convenor of basketball and volleyball, Nicole is also responsible for injury management and sports facility hire at Christ’s College. Having spent several years with Canterbury Basketball as the junior events and programmes coordinator, Nicole has fostered strong relationships with clubs, schools, and coaches. She has also developed marketing strategies and helped to drive community engagement while fulfilling operational and logistics requirements.
Ben Sheat
Senior A Coach
Ben Sheat
Senior A Coach
Senior A coach Ben Sheat has coached high school, Canterbury and national youth basketball teams. He was the former assistant coach for the Canterbury Rams.
He has a Diploma in Sport Management and a Bachelor of Education (specialising in Physical Education).
Ben’s coaching philosophy is built on investing in – and making – every player feel valued and part of a hard-working, dedicated team. He aims to give players the opportunities to grow both on and off the court, helping them develop a growth mindset, and building a positive team culture.
Tom Higgins
Senior B Coach
Tom Higgins
Senior B Coach
Tom has played for various representative teams and New Zealand junior age groups including the Junior Tall Blacks. He played three years of NCAA Division 2 basketball in Texas as well as one season for the Canterbury Rams and is currently playing for UC Prems. He is a camp coach for Mainland Eagles and the Canterbury Rams, and has been a coach at College since 2022.