'Small piece of Ngapuhi' behind Woodman in Rio

LOCAL STRIPES: Kaikohe-born Portia Woodman will be supported by whanau when she plays for New Zealand in women's sevens rugby at the Rio Olympics next month.

A small group of Portia Woodman's whanau will travel to Rio next week to cheer on the Kaikohe-born girl as she strives to help the New Zealand Women's sevens team produce a gold medal-winning performance at the Olympics.

The group includes her Mid North born-and-bred parents Kawhena and Babe Woodman (originally from Ohaeawai, now resident in Auckland) along with her uncle and aunty, Richard and Belinda, who still live in the area. Also in the touring party are Roger and Charmen Dalton (Babe's brother and his wife) and Patsy Davidson (Babe's sister).

Richard, a stalwart supporter of the Taiamai Ohaeawai RFC, said all the boxes were ticked and the group were looking forward to departing this coming Tuesday, August 2 and returning on August 14, having purchased a supporter's package made available to athletes' families through the New Zealand Olympics team.

"Travel insurance, vaccines done and mosquito repellent sorted," he said.

With the New Zealand women's team's first match against Kenya at 2.30am on Sunday, August 7 (NZ time). Woodman said she was very excited about making her Olympics debut, and to feature in a record 11-strong Northland contingent which includes three paralympians. Named World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, Woodman has been one of the side's leading try scorers over the past two seasons of IRB competition, and left with the team to enjoy a week-long training camp in Florida last Friday.

With both father Kawhena and uncle Fred having played for the All Blacks in the 1980s, Woodman said she was well aware of the support from her home town, and said it was extra pleasing to have a "little piece of Ngapuhi" alongside her in Rio.

Earlier this month, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said the announcement of the two sevens teams, men's and women's, selected to represent New Zealand at this year's Olympics marked a historic day for rugby.

"We are very proud of the players chosen to represent New Zealand at the very pinnacle of sport. This is the first time our male and female players have been to an Olympic Games and marks rugby's return to the games for the first time since 1924. This will be a truly inspiring moment in rugby and Olympic history.

"We know the challenge to bring home gold will be tough. Sevens has become fiercely competitive, but we believe the teams will be in great shape to perform come August. We know the players will be determined to do their very best and we're sure they'll represent New Zealand and our game with enormous pride."

Other whanau expected to be heading to Brazil to support local athletes from the Far North in action at the Olympics and Paralympics include those of sailors Blair Tuke from Kerikeri and Chris Sharp from Kaikohe.