Thirty-six of the Bay of Plenty's best rugby players have been named in the Volcanix squad for 2021.
The list includes 28 healthy players who will make up the active roster, while eight remaining players, including Black Ferns Les Elder, Pia Tapsell and Luka Connor remain on standby due to
injury with the potential to return later in the season.
Volcanix head coach Rodney Gibbs said injuries had opened the door for a number of promising young players.
"We would love to have our Black Ferns and more experienced girls back and healthy," Gibbs said.
"However, the flip-side is that we've been able to make room and give chances to some of the younger girls who have had fantastic club seasons.
"They've had some great experience and a taste of Farah Palmer Cup rugby with plenty more to come."
One such player was first-time squad member and Australian international Sheniqua Taula.
The talented young halfback earned her place in the squad after a strong club season which was also her first time playing in New Zealand.
"I was excited when I heard I'd made the wider training squad, I had played rugby over in Melbourne, but I had never played in New Zealand before," Taula said.
"It was a big step up in professionalism moving up from the New Zealand club level to the Volcanix.
"Coming from Australia, I've found that the opportunities in the women's game have been so much more in the Bay. It's something I'm definitely thankful for and am looking forward to the opportunity."
Gibbs said having a higher than usual cohort of young women joining the Volcanix has meant that setting small goals and a step-by-step approach has been crucial leading into the season.
"Everyone is excited," he said.
"Some of the new girls will be feeling a bit of nerves going into the season for the first time, but I'm sure we've helped stamp some of those out with our pre-season matches.
"We are just setting small goals. Not too big at the moment, just focusing on working hard and making small gains each week.
"We are hopeful for those important players who are coming back from injury, and if that's not the case, we need to focus on growing the new players that we've got.
"They'll do well, I'm sure."
