27 Womens - 27 Womens

Charisse BILLING

DOB: 7/04/1985

History: I played for NZ 21s a few years back at the Sunshine Coast Kawana YWC

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: I am very happy to be representing NZ at the WC in Kuala Lumpur. Also to be representing my province BOP

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Partner Tamati Fraser NZ 30 Mixed

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: This is the sport i love the most. Love the culture, the mentality, the speed, the skill

Home Province: Bay Of Plenty

Coral WINIATA

DOB: - 17/09/1987

History: Played Trans Tasman for Open womens. Played in the girls u19s Youth World Cup when we won gold

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Chance to see how far I can push myself individually to contribute to our team dynamic. & of course to make my family proud

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Brother Hamish Buick & Hubby Paris Winiata have been apart of the Touch Blacks mixed team

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love that there are always opportunities to improve your game and do something better

Home Province: Kapiti-Horowhenua

Elesha TE PAA

DOB: - 19/05/1989

History: I started playing at about 9 years old at Manly Warringah Touch.. I debuted for New Zealand Women's Opens in 2014 and played the following year at the 2015 World Cup. After having kids, this is my first time back in a NZ jersey since

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It is a true privilege and honour to compete for NZ, and I have the desire to do my family proud. I also want to inspire my children to achieve anything they set their mind to

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the long time friendships made through touch football and how inclusive it is no matter the age, gender or ability

Home Province: Manly Warringah

Erena WIKAIRE

DOB: 19/09/1983

History: Started playing competitively for Wests Magpies in Sydney in 2007. Played Counties Open mixed and won Nationals with Auckland Open mixed.Played the last WC in Coff's harbour for NZ senior mixed and the last transtas for 27womens. I also coached the NZ U18 mixed to Touch Youth World Cup in Malaysia.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Selection is just one step towards the goal. It takes a team to come together to make that goal happen. I think our team has the potential... but we have a long road ahead to realise that potential.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Touch is about friendship.

Home Province: Auckland

Jean WAAKA

DOB: 16/01/1984

History: Recent Assistant Coach and Player for NZ Open Womens. From the Counties Manukau Province

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Get to put my boots on for another year

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Daughter plays for Counties Manukau

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Friends

Home Province: Counties Manukau

Jodi TUPAEA

DOB: 28/09/1987

History: NZ 27s Womens, 2017 Sunshine Coast, Counties Manukau 27s womens touch team.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It means a lot to me to rep NZ Womens Touch at the WC held in KL. I am honoured and privileged to wear the Black and White Fern.

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: I have 4 sisters and myself representing Counties 27 womens along side our father who is coach.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the game of Touch because its fast, quick thinking and challenging.

Home Province: Counties Manukau

Kahureremoa AKI

DOB: 1/12/1985

History: 2011 Open Women's WC team, various Open Women Trans-Tasman teams, and National finalists teams Wellington Open Mixed and the Waikato Open Women's team.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: I am honored to have been selected. I have previously competed in many international campaigns; however, this upcoming campaign is special in that it will be my first time competing internationally since becoming a mother to my beautiful children.

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Ruamaitera Erueti

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love that touch provides a platform for whanau to mobilise for a hauora focussed kaupapa that provides essential skills that are transferable to all aspects of life.

Home Province: Whanganui

Kylie JOE

DOB: 10/05/1989

History: Made first NZ team 2009 - U21 Women's - Played World series and Trans Tas in Auckland. Won U21 women's grade at Nationals with Manawatu against North Harbour. NZ Open women's 2010 - Played Trans Tas in Auckland..Won World Masters 27 women's grade with Free Flow from Waikato. NZ27 women's Trans Tas - Sunshine Coast.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: I had dream since I was 15 to make NZs, then I had a goal to get back into the NZ framework after I had my boy and got through my studies.The ULTIMATE goal was Touch Blacks - Open Women's but after the Trans Tas campaign with the 27 women's. I'm absolutely Ecstatic to be a part of the World Cup Campaign!

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The experience!

Home Province: Manawatu

Le Toia TAINUI-MCINTYRE

DOB: 2/08/1987

History: Current Auckland open women's captain. Most memorable moment in touch would be 2016/2017 NZ Touch Nationals making history winning the Open women's grade for the first time in 20 plus years and doing so with my dad and playing alongside my sister. 8 NZ touch caps. Played for NZ at the last world cup 2015 Coffs Harbour. Captain the NZ 27 women's team 2017 trans tasman Sunshine coast. Current Auckland U14s girls coach and Auckland women's coach.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Always an honor to wear the fern and represent my country in the sport I am very passionate about. This is a reflection of hard work sacrifice made by myself and my supportive whanau.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The whanau environment.

Home Province: Auckland

Melissa BUCHANAN

DOB: 1/09/1989

History: Played in Open mixed 2011 Scotland world cup. Bulletz womens club member, played both open womens and mixed for nz and counties. Helped coach counties u18 mixed

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It gives me a great sense of pride in myself, it helps me instill belief in myself that I can do anything I set my mind to and I can overcome all obstacles in my way to getting there. It also makes me happy that I can set a good example for my son and hopefully instil self belief in him too

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I get to hang out with my mates and have fun doing something we think we are good at

Home Province: Counties Manukau

Olivia CHAPMAN

DOB: 22/04/1985

History: I have been playing representative touch for Counties Manukau since I was 14. My biggest achievement has been winning 3 National titles in Open Womans grade with Counties Manukau 2015, 2016 and 2018. 2016 being a very memorable achievement winning Gold for Open Womans.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: This is my first time being selected for Touch blacks and I have worked hard to get to where I am. My family and I have sacrificed a lot and I am going to give it all that I have to try and bring home the gold. I am very honoured and priviledged to wear the fern and look forward to representing myself, my whanau and my country.

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My husband Luke Chapman has also been selected for the 35 Mens squad.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the social aspect of touch especially within our club Bulletz as we are very whanau orientated. My whole family is touch crazy and have my two big girls currently developing their passion for the game. I am also excited that 3 other members of our 27 womans squad that have been selected play for the same club.

Home Province: Counties Manukau

Rangi RAPANA

DOB: 29/09/1976

History: Having represented NZ in the last WC with the 27 womens also being a part of open womens squads in my earlier years of touch as too being involved throughout the years with Mataatua Open Womens Touch Team, Bay of plenty sides and co-captain of the NZ Maori Open Womens team at the 2005 All Nations Event.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Very proud and privileged to be able to represent my whanau, hapu, iwi and waka.

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: I have many other friends and whanau who have also represented NZ thoughout the grades.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The camaraderie of the sport.

Home Province: Bay of Plenty

Tara MOHI

DOB: 3/09/1984

History: I've been playing for Nz since 2013. Played in the last WC for Womens open. I've also played state of origin for Nsw And I represent at state cup and vawdon cup for western suburbs magpies.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: I feel very honoured and privileged to represent Nz especially at World Cup. I know it's something my father would have been really proud of.

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My sister was a touch black And my husband actually played for Aus mixed open.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the fact that you have to be physically and mentally tough and I love the many great friends I have made playing this game and the places I have been fortunate enough to travel to.

Home Province: Western Suburbs Magpies

Veronica Asini

DOB: 13/12/1977

History: Started playing social touch over 10 years ago and wanted to challenge myself so I trialled to play Vawdon Cup 2010. The challenge to learn structure and the technical aspects motivated me to continue to improve and be better. To make the NZ W27's squad for WC 2019 is my biggest achievement.

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Its a huge honour and a privilege to represent NZ. Its a blessing to be part of the NZ W27's 2019 squad.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Anyone of all ages, background, gender and ability can learn to play whether socially or at representative level. Also meeting new people and becoming long life mates.

Home Province: Auckland

Waina PRIME

DOB: 15/04/1991

History: I'm relatively new to touch, and have been playing competitively for the last few years. I've played Auckland Open Mixed in both the 2017 and 2018 National Tournaments. I've moved to Open Women to gain some experience before the World Cup

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: I am excited, grateful for the opportunity and honoured to be selected to represent New Zealand, my whanau and home, Motatau.I have been training hard mentally and physically

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My niece Cora-Faith Prime represented NZ in the U18s Mixed Yeam in KL earlier this year (2018)

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the speed, physicality and mental challenges this sport allows.I appreciate the complexity of manipulating defence, reacting to defence and finishing a move well

Home Province: Northland