Smashing open a pineapple with a samurai sword to unveil an explosion of pink confetti made for one unique, unforgettable gender reveal for Kiwi athletes Tyrell Harrison and Kalani Purcell. Yet it's surprising the couple didn't opt to slice open a basketball while brainstorming creative ways to mark the moment!
Basketball stars both in Aotearoa and Australia, the expectant parents admit the sport rules their lives, which is why Kalani was shocked to learn she was pregnant.
The youngest of seven basketball-playing siblings (including ex-Tall Ferns Charmian Mellars and Natalie Taylor), she dreamed of a professional basketball career from age six and made the Tall Ferns by 18.
Tyrell, 23, meanwhile was born into a rugby-mad home in Brisbane. But he discovered basketball at 15, began development training with the Brisbane Bullets in high school and has played for the team since. He recently joined New Zealand's Tall Blacks as the couple prepare to welcome their daughter here during the Australian off-season.
It was during an off-season that the two met through an awkward set-up. "Mutual friends invited us to a house party, but it ended up just four of us," chuckles Kalani, 28.
Having just broken off an engagement, Kalani's biggest lesson was not to rush relationships, so it was another year before she and Tyrell started hanging out. Bonding over food, movies and basketball, they became besties before officially starting to date in 2019.
Denne historien er fra May 19, 2023-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 19, 2023-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!