Folded November 2015 President Richard Hansen Founded 1982 | Team colours Green, white, black Arena/Stadium Arena Manawatu Championships 0 | |
 | ||
League National Basketball League History Palmerston North
1982–1991
Palmerston North Jets
1992–2001
Manawatu Jets
2002–2015 Location Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand | ||
Mcdonalds manawatu jets our basketball team
The Manawatu Jets were a New Zealand basketball team based in Palmerston North. The Jets competed in the National Basketball League (NBL) and played their home games at Arena Manawatu.
Contents
Jets promo manawatu jets home game
Team history
The Manawatu Jets, then known as Palmerston North, were one of eight foundation sides for the National Basketball League's inaugural season in 1982, but after finishing last, they were demoted to the Conference Basketball League (CBL). They spent the next two years in the CBL, and after finishing as runners-up in 1984, they were readmitted to the NBL in 1985. However, they were demoted to the CBL again for the 1988 season after finishing last in 1987. After winning the CBL title in 1988, the team was back in the NBL for the 1989 season. The 1989 season marked the team's best regular-season campaign in their history, finishing the year as minor premiers; they were subsequently defeated in the semi-finals by the fourth-seeded Canterbury Rams and finished with an overall win/loss record of 15–4. In 1992, the Jets made it to their first and so far only grand final, where they were defeated 79–71 by the Rams.
After 20 seasons known as Palmerston North, the team changed their name to Manawatu for the 2002 season, so as to reflect the wider Manawatu-Wanganui region.
In November 2015, the Jets withdrew from the NBL. The decision was made by the Jets' board after a review of the organisation came to the conclusion that they had a fledgeling club structure.