Rapid League is a standalone competition with its own game results, television coverage, player awards, commercial properties and data/wagering agreements.
Rapid League is a shorter 16-minute game (playing time) featuring Tauihi players and played prior to every regular season Tauihi game.
Rapid League is a legitimate competition, it adds a strategic element to how teams manage their roster and game points from the Rapid League go towards the Tauihi ladder.
Rapid League will have its own set of awards, including MVP, All-Star 5, Leading Scorer, Leading Rebounder and Rising Star.
Rapid League will help develop all players quicker with every player on a roster having to play in each Rapid/Tauihi game night.
Rapid League will deliver fans and viewers a better experience with two games for the price of one and an opportunity to see every team’s full roster playing and contributing to the result
How does Rapid League work?
Prior to every regular season game in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa there will be a Rapid League game – same court, same TV cameras, same officials and the same Tauihi players … almost.
Rapid League will only feature the players NOT selected in the starting five for the following Tauihi game – players 6 through 12.
Teams must announce their Tauihi starting five players 45 minutes before Rapid League tip-off, therefore also selecting the seven players who will play in the Rapid League game.
Full stats and television coverage will be provided for Rapid League separately from Tauihi.
Rapid League teams are permitted to wear different uniforms provided they meet League approval and commercial requirements, meaning teams can also build new properties for sponsors.
Team courtside signage can change between both games if desired. Any court decals and fixed signage cannot be changed.
Rapid League games mostly play to the same rules as a Tauihi game, except for some subtle differences.
On the Tauihi ladder, Teams are awarded 1 point for winning a Rapid League game and 3 points for winning a Tauihi game.
At the end of the regular season, the team with the most Rapid League wins will be crowned the Rapid League Champions for the season.
Rapid League ends at the completion of the regular season and does not continue during the Tauihi finals
