Rugby: Emphasis on women's game

Brendon Webby, the new head coach for the 2016 Women's Provincial Mitre 10 Cup.

Central Bay of Plenty Rugby manager Brendon Webby has been appointed head coach for the 2016 Women's Provincial Mitre 10 Cup.

Webby comes into the role with quality coaching experience having previously coached Bay of Plenty rugby representative age grade sides.

Women's rugby development officer Hayley Kerrison said this was a great for the development of women's rugby.

"This is a great opportunity for players to take their rugby to the next level.

"The pre-season will see a strong focus around strength and conditioning and further developing the skills that these players possess. We are keen to support those players who are committed to improving their game. Our philosophy for developing women's rugby in the Bay of Plenty is to focus on the full year programme and Brendon will be a large part of this."

Webby said he was looking forward to this next step in his coaching experience.

"I am excited to build on the work previously achieved by the Volcanix coaches and thrilled to be helping develop our players to be the best they can be."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's coach development manager Rodney Gibbs highlighted the support for women's rugby and the importance of coach development in women's rugby.

"We had a number of quality applicants which is a good indication that there are people in the region who care about the future of women's rugby in Bay of Plenty.

"It is important that we continue to grow and develop more coaches in the women's game to be able to support the programme that we are initiating, part of this will be through the Rugby Smart upskilling day to be held at Paengaroa on Sunday April 10 which is solely for women's coaches."

Currently the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is in the process of building a team around Webby, with an assistant coach and manager to be named in the near future.