SPEEDSTER: Tynayah Wehi Kukutai in action. PHOTO SOFIA WOOD
WAHINE from across the rohe have honed their skills in a new tournament in Taupō – the inaugural Wahine Toa U15s 10s, put on by KCRU. A jumping castle, blaring music and even a TikTok contest rounded out the festive atmosphere. “We breed a hearty bunch of girls in the King Country and they don’t shy away from the contact,” King Country Rugby Union Rugby Manager Josh Standon said. The contest wasn’t about finding standout players, it was about giving the girls a taste of rugby, Josh said. “We had a lot of new players. It would have been close to probably 85% to 90% were all new to the game.” “Even though it was fun we still had a structured draw,” Josh said. Taupo Nui-a-Tia College took out the cup final, beating Te Wharekura o Kaokaoroa Patetere. Ngā Toro o te Iwi – with students from Tongariro and Taumarunui schools– won the playoff for the third and fourth against Taupō locals Tauhara. Maniapoto NKC (Te Kūiti and Ōparure schools) beat Ōtorohanga in the fifth and sixth playoffs to win the bowl. Teams from as far as New Plymouth and Putaruru also came to Owen Delaney Park. Josh said the tournament was free except for transport, which had to be funded by the teams. It was a welcome chance for younger players to experience the sport. “The last couple of years the older girls have dominated the rugby sceme but the point of difference for this single event was the aimed at the under 15 girls” Abby Keech, Ōtorohanga College’s coach and King Country Rugby wahine development officer, was also excited about the contest. “It’s an amazing space for me in my new role … it’s a fresh area here in King Country, to kind of up our women’s space, the girls and women’s space.”
