Rarere’s hunger to play leads to United signing

GEELONG United’s newest women’s signing has made the move west from Altona, providing an instant spark to Jamie Petty’s new-look NBL1 South side.

Former Altona Gator Esta Rarere said she was excited to play at the NBL1 level after two seasons of Big V basketball at the Gators with help from fellow United recruit Kobe Tehau King-Hawea, following the birth of her daughter Sunshine.

“I’d been trying to get back into basketball, and through the King-Hawea family, I was able to do just that,” Rarere said.

Esta went on to play two success-filled seasons with Altona, falling just short in the semi-finals in both seasons.

But Rarere said it was the experience and camaraderie she experienced during those seasons which would reignite her passion for the game, something she said she had begun to lose in Queensland.

Originally from Brisbane, Rarere began her basketball journey as a junior representative player throughout her teenage years.

Several years of hard work in the junior ranks would culminate in earning a spot in the Under 20 Queensland State Team at the 2018 at National Championships, where she first crossed basketball paths with family friend King-Hawea, as the two went head to head in the grand final. Kobe’s Victorian side would ultimately go on to get the win.

Championship success followed Rarere with the Southern Districts Spartans of the Queensland Basketball League (before being absorbed into NBL1 North), before taking a break from the game to start her family.

Her reinvigorated passion for the game grabbed the attention of Geelong United’s new women’s coach, which led to her signing for 2024, but she will also join the side alongside King-Hawea for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to playing with Kobe and excited for the season ahead,” Rarere said.

“It’s been a while since I’ve played at this level, but I’ve worked very hard to be ready and I have no doubt my team and our new coach, Jamie Petty, will give me the direction and guidance I need.”

Geelong United’s first game of the season against Ballarat is in just over a week’s time at Selkirk Stadium on April 7.