The Ōtaki Women's Community Club (OWCC) is all about supporting our local community. They're always at the heart of great initiatives, whether it's sponsoring events, fundraising, or lending a helping hand to those who need it. Recently, we were one of the many organisations and businesses who helped the Rāhui Māreikura rugby team get to Auckland.
JT Tuoro and Rauru Walker are the dedicated coaches of Rāhui Māreikura, bringing both skill and heart to the team. Together, they’ve helped Rāhui Māreikura grow into a close-knit group, guiding them to success.
JT and Raru took a moment to offer their insights on the team, giving us a deeper look into the heart and spirit of Rāhui Māreikura.
What were some of the highlights of your trip, both on and off the field?
On the field, the biggest highlight was seeing the girls use in the games what they had learned in training. The excitement they had when a 'draw and pass' comes off and good tries are scored was next level. The excitement from JT and I was right up there as well! Off the field it was just so great to see all the girls connect with each other and form new friendships which I'm sure will last for a long time over a shared interest. They were an awesome bunch to work with and lots of fun to be with.
What challenges did you face during the competition, and how did the team overcome them?
Early on the first day we lost both of the balls we took up, so didn't have any balls to warm up with. This ended up being a big blessing, as our warms ups ended up just focusing on having fun without the stress of worrying about the game. Dance battles and playing tag with a pool noodle took over from catch and pass drills. It got the girls amped and excited, and they took that energy onto the field.
Were there any special team-building exercises or bonding activities before or during the trip to Auckland?
Every training session involved bonding activities. When bringing players together from different clubs and different towns, this is something that is hugely important, so was a big focus. JT is a master at this sort of thing so his skills here were invaluable.
Did any players on the team have standout performances, or were there any moments that inspired you during the competition?
Honestly, the growth of each and every player exceeded my expectations. We were asked by the tournament organisers to pick our MVP, but after talking about it with other parents we decided that we couldn't possibly select just one player. One player scored a bunch of tries using her pace on the wing, but she wouldn't have had those opportunities had the backs inside her not used their skills to get her the ball. Those inside backs wouldn't have been given the ball if it wasn't for the hard work of the forwards and so on. The team played as a team, not a bunch of individuals, which is why they were successful.
What lessons have the team learned from this experience that will help in future competitions?
That with hard work, anything can be achieved. There is momentum behind this team now and they all see the potential that they have. They've seen that their hard work in trainings pays off, and that when you use the skills you learn at practice in a game, good things happen. They will definitely continue to build.
Our kaupapa is about building the confidence of kōtiro in everything they do.
Do you have any advice for younger players who aspire to join the team and compete at a high level?
We tell our girls that if they want to compete at a high level, then having the right attitude is the most important thing there is. You can have all the talent, but if your attitude isn't right, then it doesn't matter. It's important to point out though that we're not a 'high performance' outfit, and we don't aspire to be. Our kaupapa is about building the confidence of kōtiro in everything they do. We just use rugby as the medium to do that. If these girls are playing in 10 years time, whether that be for Rāhui, the Poua or the Black Ferns, then that to us is success.
What’s next for the team? What competitions do they have coming up?
Unfortunately, for this season, we're all finished. There was a lot of talk from the parents of forming our own club though, so that we can cater specifically for the girls in this region who want to play rugby, with the possibility of extending that to league, touch, tag and ripper. That's an idea that we're really excited by and are going to look more into.
Are there any female role models in rugby or other sports who have inspired the team along their journey?
Over the last two years our girls have been lucky enough to be able to attend the training sessions and games of the Black Ferns. Those wahine are amazingly inspirational and our girls have loved the opportunity to meet them and see them in action. They definitely provide inspiration for our girls.
How important is it for young girls to see female representation in sports?
Huge, and not just in sports but in the workforce too, which has been another part of our kaupapa. Our girls have had the opportunity to go and visit wahine at work, whether that be in the sporting or tech industries, finance and legal sector, emergency services and more. "You can't be what you can't see", and so ensuring our girls get to see what is possible is important for us.
"You can't be what you can't see"
What advice would you give to young girls who may feel discouraged or unsure about joining a rugby ream?
Just come down and give it a go, even if it's just one training. The chances are you'll be hooked after that. Māreikura are wanting as many girls as possible to give it a go. We don't care what your skills are like, so long as you have the right attitude, we'll take care of the rest!
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