Black Ferns Sevens player Michaela Blyde training at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui. Photo / NZME
Black Ferns Sevens player Michaela Blyde training at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui. Photo / NZME
Shaanon Waaka was left "speechless" when she saw her little sister Stacey Fluhler score a try in the Black Ferns' gold medal-winning match.
And aunties, uncles, siblings and cousins at her parents' Rūātoki home who were watching the Tokyo Olympic action were all overwhelmed with emotion when they realised theBlack Ferns had beaten France 26-12.
It took New Zealand just two minutes to strike as captain Sarah Hirini set up the final's opening try, feeding it to Tauranga-based Michaela Blyde.
Two more tries in the first half to Gayle Broughton and former Whakatāne High School student Fluhler meant the team were leading 19-5 at the break.
"The whole family is still in shock, but we knew they could do it. I just can't get over the fact that my baby sister is so amazing," said Waaka.
"All the hard training, all the sacrifices she has made to get to where she is now has all paid off.
Meanwhile, Blyde's mum Cherry - a former Black Fern - said the knot in her stomach had now disappeared. She watched the game in their Taranaki home with her husband Steve.
Both parents were particularly proud of how Hirini and Blyde worked together when scoring the first try of the match.
"I am happy, relieved and very proud.
"Michaela would be the first one to say it is not just about one person. Sarah Hirini was just outstanding, she led from the front in that final," Cherry said.
Cherry and Steve spoke with their daughter about 45 minutes after the match.
"In between the tears, and us wooing and we have got her dog Honey here. So she was barking. You could just see the relief in her, they had done it."
Black Ferns Sevens player Michaela Blyde training at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui. Photo / NZME
The "amazing" culture within the Black Ferns - whose training base is in Tauranga - meant all the women are incredibly close.
"It is 100 per cent true when they say that they are sisters."
Sport Bay of Plenty coaching and sport development team leader Wiremu Tapara agreed. He said the team culture "really shone through" in Saturday's final.
"They're a tight-knit group that's empowered by the support team around them, including coaches Allan Bunting and Corey Sweeney."
He said the team of high-performance athletes were "amazing role models" for young people, particularly girls.
"It's not just their gold medal that will inspire girls from across the Bay of Plenty to try sport, it's also their good humour, tenacity and passion for the game.
Black Ferns players Portia Woodman, Kelly Brazier and Tyla Nathan-Wong also live and train in Tauranga.
