Northland's new-look south zone rugby academy will have player retention as a high priority after it was launched on Wednesday.
Northland Rugby Union's revamped academy age-group rugby programme, which saw the inaugural north zone academy opened in Kaitaia on Monday, was finalised with a ceremony at Whangārei's ASB Stadium where a group of future academy players were officially inducted.
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The players are: Gill Caan-Vana, Kian Kake, Sage Walters-Hansen, Javarn Porter, Craven Martin, Tomi Baker, Noah Pride, Lucas Payne, Zack Willy, Kalani Snooks, Conner Guest, Brady Foster, Max Brunker, Troy Hona, Chad Boyed, Savannah Bodman, Georgia Brierly, Lily Murray-Wihongi, Serai Murray-Wihongi, Louisa Tuibailagi, Ocean Tierney, Tui McGeorge, Sidney Pomare, Mitikakau Morunga, Esile Fono and Kingi Herewini.
Brierly, who finished her final year at Rodney College in 2019, said she was excited to further her skills in Northland and hoped the academy would encourage others to follow suit.