There’s an exciting new initiative taking shape in Hawke’s Bay rugby, with the launch of two new girls’ grades Under 14 and Under 16, which are set to run over the next five Wednesday afternoons. These unique competitions will offer opportunities for both schools and clubs to participate, creating a stronger and more connected pathway for young wāhine from junior grades through to senior women’s rugby.

Games will be played across two local venues, with Under 14s taking the field at Hastings Mitre 10 Sports Park, while Under 16s will compete at Ellwood Park. The formats have been tailored to suit each age group: Under 14s will play 10-a-side, with two 20-minute halves, and Under 16s will play full 15-a-side matches with 25-minute halves.

It's a fantastic new initiative to get our younger wāhine involved in the game, and it wouldn't have happened without the support of some incredible parents and passionate advocates for women's rugby who've helped bring these grades to life.

Female Rugby Development Activator, Teilah Ferguson spoke to this exciting new initiative.

“I’m really excited to get this underway. Ever since the trial sevens tournament in 2024, there’s been a noticeable lift in energy and anticipation around girls’ rugby. It’s fantastic to see six teams involved, and I truly believe we’ll start to see the fruits of this tournament flourish in the coming years. For many of these girls, it’s their first time being part of an all-girls rugby space — that’s really special and something we’ve worked hard to create.”

The initiative has also gained strong backing from Betta Inspect It Hawke’s Bay, who have come on board as naming rights sponsors. They’re passionate about supporting the growth of women’s rugby in the region and are committed to helping ensure these new grades offer the best possible experience for all players. Speaking with Sarndra Spice of Betta Inspect It, she highlighted the importance of providing pathways through rugby for our young wahine.

“We’ve been proud supporters of Hawke’s Bay Rugby for years, including as major sponsors of the Wakely Shield for the past four seasons,” says Sarndra. “With the inclusion of an all-girls team (Mana Kotiro) for the first time in 2023, and a member of the squad winning player of the tournament in 2024, it’s clear that women’s rugby is continuing to grow. We’ve seen young wāhine come through the Wakely Shield and go on to represent the Hawke’s Bay Tui, but after talking to parents, it became clear there’s still a lack of clear pathways for girls in the game. That’s why this initiative is such a massive opportunity, we’re 100% behind supporting these girls to stay in rugby, grow their confidence, and know that if they want to, they can chase higher honours in the future.”

With growing support from sponsors, parents, clubs and schools, the launch of these new grades marks a significant step forward girls rugby in Hawke’s Bay. The first games kick off at 4:15 this Wednesday so make sure to come down and support the next generation of women’s rugby stars.

Source: Corban Boyd

Article added: Monday 26 May 2025