The Southland Sharks continue to add to its roster for the upcoming New Zealand National Basketball League season, with the naming of 20 year old guard Dane Bertinshaw today.
Bertinshaw who got his first taste of the Sal’s NBL with the Taranaki Airs last season travels south after catching the eye of Sharks’ Head Coach Jonathan Yim.
“Dane was someone that really stood out to me when we were evaluating players in the Tupu League. What immediately stood out was the confidence he played with and his ability to impact the game as an off-the-ball scoring threat. His ability to space the floor will be a big asset for us this season,” he said.
“What separates Dane is that he’s not just a shooter—he plays with great energy and competes at a high level. He works hard, embraces his role, and makes winning plays. When you combine all those attributes with his work ethic, toughness, and attitude, it’s easy to see his potential as a player and his ability to take off within our ecosystem.”
“I’m really excited to have Dane with us and am looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop. He has a great opportunity in front of him this season,” Coach Yim said.
Bertinshaw jumped at the chance to join the Sharks and to get to call ILT Stadium Southland home.
“My interest in the Sharks was the new signing of Coach Yim and the knowledge he has to offer a young player like me. Also, ILT Stadium is widely regarded as one of the best stadiums in New Zealand. I’m excited to work with Coach Jon, his high-level experience will without doubt benefit my knowledge and skill development,” Bertinshaw said.
The Sharks will formally begin their pre-season preparation next week with import players Caleb Asberry and Keylan Boone linking with the locally-based squad this weekend.
The Sharks’ first appointment is on the West Coast in early March for the pre-season Westside Blitz where the team will play three games in four days, starting with the league’s newest entry, the Indian Panthers.
The season proper tips off a week later with the Sharks drawing three road games to start the season, opening against the Otago Nuggets in Dunedin on Friday March 14.
Season tickets are on sale at ILT Stadium Southland and at sharksbasketball.flicket.co.nz.
Photo credit: Porkys Productions