Meet the Head Coach: Anthony Hunia
With over 35 years of experience across New Zealand and Australia, Anthony brings a wealth of high-performance knowledge and a grassroots heart to the court. From founding community leagues to leading representative teams to National Championships, his coaching career is defined by a commitment to technical skill development and fostering a “tough but fair” competitive culture.
Beginning his journey in Wellington, NZ, Anthony spent two decades shaping the next generation of Kiwi talent at Heretaunga and Upper Hutt Colleges. His impact on the game extends beyond the sideline; in 2002, he founded the Upper Hutt Primary Schools Mini Ball League, a foundational program that continues to introduce young athletes to the sport today.
Since moving to Canberra in 2010, he has become a staple of the Basketball ACT community, leading JPL and Division 1 teams for the Weston Creek Woden Dodgers and the Warriors Basketball Club. Known for his work with the Sydney Basketball Institute and now El!te Development Foundation, Anthony specializes in high-performance pathways, preparing junior athletes for the demands of senior premier basketball.
Career Highlights & Credentials
- Player Development: Over 20 years of High-Performance coaching, specializing in skill development for U16 and U19 representative pathways.
- National Success: Led the Hutt Valley Basketball Association U16 Boys to the New Zealand National Championships (2003-2004).
- Community Founder: Established the Upper Hutt Primary Schools Mini Ball League in Wellington (2002), a legacy program for junior development.
- Canberra Presence: 15 years coaching across Basketball ACT Junior Premier Leagues (JPL) and Senior Premier divisions with the Warriors Basketball Club and WCW Dodgers.
- Specialist Training: Experienced Skills Development Coach with the Sydney Basketball Institute and current lead at the Elite Development Foundation (2025–Present).
- Multi-Sport Background: A decade of experience as a player, coach, and manager in Rugby and Touch Rugby with the Rimutaka Rugby Club.