Women’s competition under way

TAKING ON THE DEFENCE: Ariana Fitzsimmons, of Lytton High School, tries to break the tackle of Gisborne Girls' High 10s player Kalani Broughton at Barry Park last Wednesday. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Women's high school rugby got under way with a fun-spirited competition at Barry Park last week.

Teams from Gisborne Girls' High School, Lytton High School and Tolaga Bay Area School took part in the competition last Wednesday.

Lytton girls' rugby programme coach Steve Smith said it was great to see young women out there enjoying the sport.

“Women's rugby is the biggest mover,” he said.

“They're exciting to watch. There have been some great tackles and good tries.

“We're a little rusty, but they're so excited and ready to go.”

The day was a bit of a mix'n'match affair, with each team of girls playing several games of sevens and 10s, based on how many people were available to play.

Gisborne Girls' High rugby programme coach Brendon Hart said it was about getting more girls playing and they “ran with what we've got”.

“It's good fun, they're just happy there's something to do again.”

Gisborne has no premier women's competition in Gisborne but Poverty Bay Rugby referee and coach development manager Miah Nikora said this competition was about putting the building blocks in place to promote women's rugby in the region.

“We just want girls to be playing . . . it's awesome for new players giving it a go and for the others to get back out there,” he said.

Scores weren't kept and the event was more about having fun and taking part, he said.

Dvante Broughton played in the Tolaga Bay team and said it was her second time playing rugby. She had fun playing and said she'd definitely be back this week to play again.

She said rugby was so different from every other sport and it was “pretty mean”.