The pathways continue to grow for our local women aspiring to further their rugby potential. Building on the strength of our local high school opportunities, and the Waitaki Wāhine at club level.
There was a time not too long ago, where local Women had little option but to head outside of North Otago to follow their rugby dreams beyond high school. The re-emergence of a Women's side in 2013 signaled a change, and now a decade on the opportunities continue to grow year on year.
The creation of the Heartland Women's XV in 2023 highlighted the desire for more representative matches to be played, both by players and the Heartland unions involved. Along with the formation of an Otago Spirit Development XV, the opportunities for player development have never been at such a healthy level.
In 2024 alone there's been an interesting amount of local talent spread across these pathways. In the Otago Spirit we have Cheyenne Cunningham and Lininia Kaufana, while in the Spirit Development XV are Madi Barclay-George and Zaria Kira. Kara Mai-Herbst and Kayla Guyton both feature in the Heartland Women's XV along with Colleen Carrol who's stepped into an assistant coaching role. While in the Canterbury Development side is also former Waitaki Wāhine player Shelby Johnston.
It doesn't end there either, Kyala Fisila recently attended the New Zealand Rugby National Under-18 Māori camp in Wellington. The Waitaki Girls student was selected to attend the national camp following a regional camp in Temuka, having only taken up rugby this year and playing alongside her twin sister Kalani for the combined St Taki U18 side.
Pathways have also extended beyond New Zealand shores, with Waitaki Wāhine players Zaria Kira and Kara Mai-Herbst both receiving scholarships to play in England with the Henley Hawks.
