Mana Pacific proudly sponsor young Pacific athlete from Manawatū, New Zealand to give back to his community.
2019 Mana Pacific sponsorship honouree - Griffyn Kapao
NZ-born Pacific athlete Griffyn Kapao is of Cook Islands (father) and American (mother) heritage and is a student at Palmerston North Boys High School (PNBHS) in their Junior A basketball team. He also plays for Basketball Manawatū Under 15s team who travelled to the Hawkes Bay for the regional tournament and went on to play at the 2019 nationals in Tauranga placing eighth overall.
Reflecting on what it means to be part of his team he says, "I have really enjoyed representing the people who have supported me. So many people have helped me get to where I am now. Not only my coaches and the managers but my family, our friends and our church community. I feel really honoured."
Griffyn has played for different teams in 2019 which has taught him about overcoming obstacles. "There are different things we need to overcome in life. Not just in a day or a moment, but in our own minds," he explains. He has built long-lasting friendships with people in his teams and other teams he's played against. Griffyn really enjoys this aspect of the sport and the wider community he feels very much a part of.
He is ambitious to stay involved in the game of basketball as long as he can and has a committed attitude to achieving highly in his academic opportunities as well.
Where is Griffyn now?
2021 - Griffyn is completing his Year 12 at PNBHS and plays for the Senior A team. He also plays representative basketball for Basketball Manawatū U17s.
So many people have helped me get to where I am now. Not only my coaches and the managers but my family, our friends and our church community. I feel really honoured.
