NPEC Womens Rugby Team Celebrates First Season

The Ngati Porou East Coast Women’s Rugby team celebrated the end of their first season with a special prize giving held at Shed 3 in Gisborne last month.

The team was established in June by Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou kaimahi, Trish Hina and Amoe Tarsau, to develop the potential of female rugby in the region. The initial team musters attracted 35 players, from ages 15 years to 48 years, who travelled from Gisborne and the Coast to attend trainings and games.

The team was established in June by Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou kaimahi, Trish Hina and Amoe Tarsau, to develop the potential of female rugby in the region. The initial team musters attracted 35 players, from ages 15 years to 48 years, who travelled from Gisborne and the Coast to attend trainings and games.

During August to September the team participated in the Bay of Plenty Womens Rugby competition, where they came third in their division. The team also got to play on home turf at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, where they beat Opotiki (35-12) during a curtain raiser for the NPEC Heartland’s team.

Radio Ngati Porou Sports announcers, Ken Eruera and Albie Gibson provided MC duties during the prize giving, and guest speakers included Cushla Tangaere, Chief Executive of the East Coast Rugby Union, Mayor Meng Foon, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Chief Financial Officer Allan Jensen, and Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou chairman, Dr Apirana Mahuika.

The evening was not only a celebration of the newly founded team’s accomplishments, but also an acknowledgement of the hardwork and dedication that went on behind the scenes.

Coach, Trish Hina and Team Manager, Amoe Tarsau said the evening provided an opportunity for the team to recognise the tautoko from sponsors, whanau members, and all those who contributed resources, encouragement and logistical support. “We would also like to especially thank Papa Api, Allan and Cushla for believing in us when we first went to them with our kaupapa, and providing us with the support to make our vision happen.”

Next year Trish and Amoe will be organising an East Coast Womens Rugby competition, which they will hope attract more players from within the region. But before then they are prepping a NPEC Women’s Sevens rugby team to play in a five game tournament over the summer. They hope this opportunity will expose the team’s players for selection for the womens seven’s squad at the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 Black Ferns.

Prize giving results:

Most Valuable Player – Cheyenne Ngerengere

Rookie of the year – Hine Campbell

Most Committed – Kathleen Taitapanui

Most Dedicated – Shyla Akuhata-Brown and Porki Kahaki

Most Improved – Nicola Sadlier

If you are interested in supporting the NPEC Womens team, or joining the team please contact: Amoe Tarsau 021 807868 atarsau@tronp.org.nz

You can also check out the NPEC Womens Rugby Team Page on Facebook.