​​​​​​​RISE Basketball Lab

RISE Basketball Lab (RBL) is a new basketball development academy launching at Scots College in Term 4, designed for ambitious U12–U18 athletes who want to take the next step in their game.

Open to boys and girls from Scots College and schools across the Wellington region, RBL provides an age-and-stage development pathway focused on building skilled, confident and well-rounded basketball athletes.

Led by Scots College Director of Basketball Natu Taufale alongside specialist skills trainer Francis WiNeera-Mulvihill, RBL goes beyond simply getting more shots up.

Athletes will develop across key areas of performance, including:

  • Individual basketball skill development
  • Shooting, ball handling, and decision-making
  • Game understanding and basketball IQ
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Speed, movement, and athletic development
  • Nutrition and athlete preparation
  • Athlete monitoring
  • Video analysis and performance feedback

More than basketball training

RBL has been created to help young athletes understand how to train, prepare and perform.

The programme combines quality on-court coaching with the off-court habits and knowledge required to support long-term athletic development – giving athletes tools they can carry with them as they progress through school, representative, and performance basketball environments.

Follow Us on Social Media

Join the Lab and build your game at RISE.

Join us as we launch in Term 4! Click the button below to register now.

Our Coaches

Natu Taufale
RISE Basketball Lab Director

Coach Taufale is one of New Zealand’s most experienced basketball coaches and coach developers.
His coaching career includes serving as:

  • Former Head Coach, Property Brokers Jets and Wellington Saints NZNBL
  • Former New Zealand U18 Age Group Head Coach
  • Former National Director of Coach Development, and HP lead for Basketball New Zealand 
  • Current FIBA Licenced Coach and FIBA World Association of Basketball Coaches Instructor. 

Coach Taufale has won 8 National Championship titles as a junior representative coach with Hutt Valley Basketball teams and led the Wellington Saints Division 2 team to the National Championship in 2008.

Francis WiNeera-Mulvihill
Specialist Skills Coach

Francis WiNeera-Mulvihill is an experienced professional basketball player with a career spanning New Zealand, the USA, Philippines, Ireland, and Australia. A former NZ U16 representative, he played four NZNBL seasons with the Taranaki Airs and Wellington Saints, alongside overseas experience in Ireland’s Super League and Australia’s NBL1 East. He currently plays for Wyndham in the Victorian Big V competition. More recently, with experiences in coaching at basketball associations in Australia, he has developed his skills as an experienced individual skills trainer who has been widely sort after in the last two years. RISE are excited to have him on board for 2026 and 2027.