Rugby
There will be a strong local flavour when the Manawatu Cyclones play a pre-season women's rugby match against Hawke's Bay at Eketahuna on Saturday, August 17.
Five members of the Eketahuna squad who lead the Manawatu competition, backs Rebecca Mahoney and Huia Paul and forwards Emma Aldworth, Kelly Hunt and Katie Turnbull, have been named in a 24-strong Cyclones NPC squad.
Black Fern Mahoney says they "can't wait" to show their wares on their home ground.
"Rep rugby at Eketahuna ... hell, does it get any better than that?" Mahoney asked. "It's massive for the club and the players, it will be a huge day out."
For first-five Mahoney, No8 Aldworth and prop Hunt, NPC selection is nothing new but not so for fullback Paul and flanker Turnbull who have earned their spots through performing outstandingly at club level.
Paul is an "import" from Foxton who excels on the counter attack while Turnbull is a student teacher at St Matthew's Collegiate who previously made her mark as an age group player in England.
A sixth Eketahuna player, versatile back Tatiana Tafatu, would almost certainly have made the Cyclones but for injury problems, and even now is one of four listed "fringe players".
Black Fern Shakira Baker, who played many seasons for Eketahuna before shifting to Auckland at the start of this year, is an interesting selection, having taken a break from the sport. She remains one of the most potent attacking backs in the country.
To say Eketahuna have been on a scoring spree in the Manawatu competition over the past month or so would be a gross understatement. In that period they have scored 107 points in a romp against University which was highlighted by the seven tries registered by winger Katrina Terrey and a 92-0 victory over Foxton.
But while Mahoney has been delighted with the way her team have been progessing she is quick to emphasise their season will be judged over the next three weeks when they play their toughest rivals: Linton Army, Stratford and Feilding.
Linton Army have long been one of the more powerful sides in Manawatu women's rugby and have had their resources enhanced through the acquisition of top players from the Kia Toa club who have withdrawn from the competition.
Stratford, who will travel to Eketahuna, contain the bulk of the players who make up Taranaki's NPC squad while Feilding, who are probably the favourites for the title, are reaping the benefits of a programme initially aimed at building the strength of secondary schoolgirls rugby in their area.
The Manawatu Cyclones NPC programme is: v Taranaki on September 7 at Palmerston North, v Wellington at Petone on September 14, v Auckland at Palmerston North on September 21, v Counties-Manukau at Papakura on September 28, v Waikato at Palmerston North on October 5, v Canterbury at Christchurch on October 12, v Otago at Dunedin on October 19.