Potential for growth ‘endless’

New sheriff: Ario Rewi has become the new women's rugby developement officer for the Coast. She is heavily involved with east coast rugby having played, coached and refereed. Pictures supplied

Ario Rewi could do great things for Ngāti Porou East Coast rugby on and off the field.

Rewi, 29, of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Manawa and Tuhoe descent with affiliations to Te Whānau a Takimoana of Rangitukia, will continue as an outdoor experience tutor for the Eastern Institute of Technology for the next two weeks and yesterday took on another role of incalculable importance — that of the NPEC women's rugby development officer.

Saturday was a whirlwind for the new Sky Blue RDO: Radio Ngāti Porou “Round-up” with Charlie Moses to promote women's rugby, Ario coaching the Ruatoria City under-13s at Enterprise Cars Whakarua Park and refereeing senior age-group teams before picking up an assistant referee's flag in support of Whetu Haerewa at Kahuitara for Hikurangi versus Pango Productions Waiapu.

On Sunday morning, she trained for the NPEC women under Haerewa and 2021 NPEC captain Shirley Mullany-Mato of Tihirau Victory Club at Kawakawa mai Tawhiti.

After lunch, Rewi coached the Ruatoria City women's team.

“The potential for growth on the Coast in rugby is endless,” she said.

“If what we've achieved in the past 10 years is anything to go by, I dare say we're tracking well towards our goal of fielding a team in the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC).

“I've played with and learned from extraordinarily talented Ngāti Porou women what it takes to make it to FPC and beyond.”

From the age of five to 12, Rewi was educated at Te Pai o Te Riri school in Tikitiki, during which time she played for Waiapu.

She played on the wing for Tokararangi, moved to second five-eighth and is now a flanker/No.8 with TVC.

“I'm a sucker for punishment and enjoy the physicality of rugby, so you'll often find me at a ruck, at the breakdown or — if I'm lucky — dashing to the try line.

“My grandfather Ngarongotoa (Bidois) Raroa played as a loosehead prop alongside my papa, hooker Puke Manuel, for the Rangitukia Rangers, Wanderers, Waiapu, NPEC.

“I've lived and breathed rugby all my life. My brother Alliott and I played on opposite wings for Waiapu as kids; I played in the Eastern Bay of Plenty secondary schools' competition, and for the Steamers u18s.

“Magical memories I hold near and dear to my heart include being captain of the Tauhara/Taupō nui a Tia College team in an undefeated season as Bay of Plenty secondary schools' champions overall, and winning the Hamo Te Rangi Trophy for three years straight alongside my TVC sisters.

“I'm passionate about Ngāti Porou and our rich history, our intergenerational passion for a game that transcends age, gender, economic status and stereotypes.

“Witnessing the growth of women's rugby on the coast has been one of the great joys of my life; coaching juniors for the past six years has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

“My goal's to be the kind of woman my daughter Marangairoa, 3, could emulate, because I'm incredibly passionate about my new role, which will involve treating people with dignity and respect as I emphasise the importance of women's health and wellbeing.

“Rugby can be a tool to ensure positive outcomes for women and their families.

“It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, if you're Ngāti Porou, then chances are you've participated in some capacity — as a ball-boy/girl, tee-boy/girl, assistant ref, ref, gate keeper, uniform washer, cleaner, cook, Junior Advisory Board member, committee member, coach, manager, bar manager — and in some instances (particularly if you're a woman), you've been all of the above at the same time!”