Earlier this year, Sports Entertainment Group announced it was handing back its playing licence for the Hoiho and the Otago Nuggets, who wrapped up their NBL season last month.
SEN and the New Zealand National Basketball League confirmed in June both teams would be handed over to a local ownership group.
Ruske expected the licensing handover to be official in the next couple of weeks and the new ownership group was awaiting confirmation before making any official Hoiho signing announcements.
"We’re wanting to, I guess, go full steam ahead once we get that over the line," Ruske said.
"We’re really happy about the local ownership and what it will bring to the team."
Things appear to be tracking well in the background and after a period of uncertainty about the future of the Hoiho, Ruske was rapt to still have women’s basketball front and centre in Otago.
"It’s incredibly exciting.
"Obviously the ownership group are really passionate. Having that ... connection with the community also really changes things.
"There’s a real sense of the community involvement.
"It’s the most excited I’ve been about being part of both the women’s, and men’s, teams since we’ve been in the league, so it’s going to be an exciting next few years."
The Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league, getting under way next month, is starting slightly earlier this season.
The Southern Hoiho, who finished 3-9 in 2024, play the opening game against the Mainland Pouākai in Christchurch on September 26.
They are on the road for the opening three games before playing their first home game at the Edgar Centre against the Tokomanawa Queens on October 11.
The Hoiho will host all six of their home games in Dunedin, the same as last year.
The Mainland Pouākai have made the big splash, signing premiership-winning coach Alex Stojkovic from the Whai.
Whai players Morgan Yaeger and Mckenna Dale are also signing with the Pouākai.
Americans Leilani Correa and Taylor Mikesell, who were both drafted by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA before being waived, and Australian 3x3 Commonwealth Games medallist Marena Whittle have signed as well.
American Mikayla Cowling and Jade Kirisome have re-signed and Tall Fern Emme Shearer joins.
The league playoffs are scheduled for early December.
On December 6-7, the No 1 seeds will play the No 4 seeds in one semifinal and, in the other, No 2 meets No 3
The final will be played on December 14 at the home of the highest-ranked team.
Tauihi league
Southern Hoiho draw
• Mainland Pouākai, Christchurch, Sept 26
• Tauranga Whai, Tauranga, Oct 3
• Northern Kāhu, Auckland, Oct 5
• Tokomanawa Queens, Dunedin, Oct 11
• Northern Kāhu, Dunedin, Oct 19
• Tokomanawa Queens, Porirua, Oct 26
• Mainland Pouākai, Dunedin, Oct 31
• Tauranga Whai, Dunedin, Nov 7
• Northern Kāhu, Auckland, Nov 9
• Tokomanawa Queens, Dunedin, Nov 16
• Mainland Pouākai, Dunedin, Nov 20
• Tauranga Whai, Tauranga, Nov 29
