Title of initiative
Wahine Toa Secondary School Program
Tell us about the initiative and what has been achieved in the last 12 months
The King Country Rugby Union is pleased with the impact our Wahine Toa Secondary School program has had for the organisation. We have player participation from all our colleges and Kura in the region and with the non competition approach many new players has been able to give rugby a go when they potentially wouldn't in the traditional 15 a side Saturday morning rugby competition. Together with the wrap around approach from the NZR E Tu Rangatahi where life skills are delivered with Rugby as the waka these girls have shown growth both on and off the field. The KCRU now engage female participants from primary school through to senior level. The Wahine Toa program was the building block that was missing in the pathway from Tamariki to Senior Wahine.
What is unique about the approach to diversity and inclusion in sport and active recreation?
Rugby has traditionally been played by boys and men, with very few Wahine participants past primary school age in the sport. To change that the Wahine Toa program was established with the help of Tu Mana funding in 2021. With that assistance KCRU could create a program that made rugby more accessible to our wahine in secondary schools, removing barriers of travel, timing of games and with a focus on developing skills on and off the filed. Creating pathways for them to stay in the King Country to play the sport and be connected to their friends.
How has your approach benefitted the community in the last 12 months?
The establishment of the Wahine Toa Secondary School program has progressed into two senior Wahine club sides playing in the WRU (Waitete) and BOP (Tongariro/United) Women's competitions. For 2023 Taumarunui is looking at establishing their first Senior women's club team. In addition KCRU first ever representative senior women's team (the Trailblazers) has played in 2022. What started with the Wahine Toa Secondary School program in 2021 has opened the doors to female participation from primary school to Senior players. The Wahine Toa program has created the pathway from Tamariki to Rangatahi to Senior Wahine.
What are some of the results and/or impact from the initiative in the last 12 months?
Over all female rugby participation in the KCRU is up with 80% from 2021 to 2022, in the Secondary school an increase with 12% females for the same period (second year of running the Wahine Toa program). It proves the impact the Wahine Toa Program has had in establishing female rugby within KCRU with Tamariki, Rangatahi and Senior Wahine. Other Provincial Unions have looked at the Program and are implementing similar initiatives for their Secondary Schools.
