Playing ball and teaching a tough balancing act

Kaine Hokianga has quickly learnt how to balance being a full-time teacher and a semi-professional athlete.

The 29-year-old is a first-year teacher at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School and the co-captain of the Manawatu Jets, who host the Bay Hawks at Arena Manawatu tonight.

Hokianga was one of the best-performed in last weekend's opening-night loss to Wellington Saints, draining 17 points, pulling down two rebounds and dishing out two assists.

He said making time to go to the gym, attend training and teach his class was a juggling act.

"It's hard, man," he said. "It's really, really hard. I'm tired a lot. It was really tough to start off with.

"I've sort of hit a patch where things are okay at the moment. I'm able to train enough and getting enough done with my teaching, but that's just right now. It'll change soon."

Hokianga was the captain of a struggling Jets outfit last year and said being able to split the responsibilities with veteran Callum Brock had made life easier.

"It's good because Callum's been around for quite a while, he knows the game, he knows Palmerston North and he's been playing here for a really long time," Hokianga said.

"Last year it was pretty tough trying to do the whole thing by myself. I didn't have a vice-captain so it's really nice to be able to share the load with someone as experienced as Callum."

After last Saturday's effort, where Hokianga clocked in for a team-high 34 minutes, it was obvious he was in better shape than last season.

Last year he looked like he was dogged by niggling injuries, which hampered his ability to score.

"I definitely feel a lot stronger," he said. "It's a lot easier for me to make moves and get shots up. I don't get fatigued in my muscles and my knees feel a whole lot better."

The 1.92m-tall Hokianga said it was about understanding his body better, making sure he stretched and got massaged and strapped after trainings and games to aid his recovery.Tip-off tonight is at 6 o'clock.

- © Fairfax NZ News