The One New Zealand Warriors teenage talent identification camp proved a big drawcard for the Waimea Old Boys U18 girls rugby team over the weekend.
Eight of the side’s players took the chance to attend the inaugural three-day Harvey Norman Heartland Female Athlete Programme at Nelson College, which was capped at 20 girls.
“It was really good to reconnect with the girls in the rugby off season. I made a last-minute decision to come and I am so glad I did. It is so different to rugby. Rather than bullet passes, we did flick passes. Even the ball size is bigger and rounder, but after a couple of runs it was easier to get a hold of,” says hooker Sophie Pemberton, who also played for the Waimea senior women’s side and was selected in the Tasman Mako Women’s squad for the Farah Palmer Cup.
Sophie made an immediate impression on the Warriors NRLW head coach Ronald Griffiths.
“She was really good, has a good skill set and was one of the players we kept highlighting to show the other girls how to do it,” says the Australian mentor who won two NRLW titles for Newcastle before leading the Warriors back into the women’s competition this season.
Sophie’s Tasman teammate Samara Bright says she encouraged a couple of girls to come along.
“It was a great opportunity in Nelson even if we don’t all go on to be NRLW stars. It was great getting involved in that high performance environment with the mental skills and nutrition, whether you play, netball, basketball, rugby or whatever sport you do,” says the outside back.
The most-capped Warrior, Simon Mannering, was involved with a Saturday field session at his old school.
“It was pretty incredible to have him along. It made for an awesome day,” declares the Year 12 student. “They were very willing to learn, great listeners, and picked up things very quickly. There was a lot of skill out there,” says Simon who enjoyed returning to his old school in a league capacity.
At 15, outstanding Tasman age grade track and field athlete Sienna Todd was one of the younger participants.
The camp was good timing for her as she is off to the Global Youth Sevens Rugby Tournament in Auckland later this next month as part of the Matatu side.
“I loved learning new skills. League is such a different game to play. It was a good opportunity as there is not much league up here,” says the Waimea College student.
Former Tasman Rugby Union Community Women’s Rugby manager, Estelle Uren, was approached by the Warriors to help out with the talent identification programme in Nelson.
“Sport doesn’t own anyone. It was a pretty epic opportunity for the girls, most of whom I know through rugby. They can take huge personal learnings from this into any sport,” insists Estelle, whose TRU job was disestablished earlier this year.
Current NRLW Warriors prop Harata Butler acted as “camp mother” and the 32-year-old’s passion for rugby league was infectious.
“The game’s growing so it is an incredible time to be involved. Five years ago, if we had tried to hold something like this at a prestigious rugby school, the attitude might have been different,” says Harata, who was on her first trip to Nelson.
Ronald maintains the weekend was a great starting point for the women’s programme at the Warriors.
“We have built a connection and let people know that over time there is a genuine pathway. We are looking at strengthening grassroots rugby league.”
Some players may get the opportunity to go to Auckland next year and watch an NRLW match and do further testing and skill development.
After the success of the trial camp in Nelson, up to six more are planned around NZ in 2026.
