The Academy
About the Academy:
The Mainland Eagles Academy was established in 2014 to support development pathways for junior players and coaches throughout the South Island, by creating opportunities for National teams, US College scholarships & career avenues.
The Mainland Eagles Academy aims to support young people in utilising basketball as a vehicle for academic, leadership and life experiences. As a result, basketball facilitates the growth of well rounded, educated, service focused individuals who contribute to society in a positive manner.

About the Haasts Eagle:
The Mainland Eagles Academy and logo is inspired by a specie of eagle that once lived in New Zealand, called the “Haast’s Eagle.” The Haast’s Eagle only lived on the South Island and were considered to be the equivalent of a lion in New Zealand.
The Haast’s Eagle was the biggest, baddest most magnificent eagle ever to have existed in the world. It is known in Maori legend as “Pouakai” and there is little doubt that early settlers would have fallen victim to this most terrifying of aerial predators! In Māori mythology, the pouakai or poukai is a monstrous bird, and are even depicted in early rock-shelter paintings in South Canterbury.
The Mainland Eagles Academy logo represents the Academy being a South Island Regional Academy with the power, strength and majesty of the Haast’s Eagle representing how our athletes train, play and approach life in general.


