The long game

Women and girls rugby in the Bay of Plenty is growing fast, but behind the progress are real challenges, and a community working hard to bridge the gaps. Karen Clarkson talks with powerhouse referee and women’s rugby advocate Tiana Ngawati-Anderson, uncovering the grassroots movement reigniting the spirit of the women’s game.

words KAREN CLARKSON photos GRAEME MURRAY hair + makeup NATALIE DAWSON

In rugby-mad Aotearoa, the Bay of Plenty is often seen as a quiet achiever. It’s a region steeped in generations of club tradition, burgeoning talent and the unmistakable buzz of communities gathering on the sidelines every weekend. But behind the booming registrations in women and girls’ rugby lies a story of fractured pathways, trailblazer community leaders, and a collective call to return to the grassroots.

At first glance, the numbers are promising. Women and girls rugby participation has grown steadily, with club-level growth for teenage girls at 39 percent and a 13 percent increase among 5-12-year-olds playing tackle. But the surface tells only part of the story. Dig deeper and the challenges quickly emerge: drop-off rates at age 14, disconnection between the secondary school and club rugby systems, and the gap between community and professional rugby widening by the season.

“Some of the most powerful change is happening at the grassroots level,” says Tiana Ngawati-Anderson, former Black Ferns Sevens player and international 22 | unomagazine.co.nz “But when I didn’t make the Auckland under-17 netball team, I thought: right, I’m going to play rugby.” Raised by a touch rugby-loving whānau, Tiana (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Whakaue) had known the oval ball her whole life, but like many young girls, netball seemed the obvious choice. “The moment I stepped onto the rugby field, it just clicked.”

That instinctive switch lit a fire that’s fuelled more than two decades at the heart of New Zealand women’s rugby. From captaining teams and representing her country, to coaching secondary schools and mentoring young referees, Tiana now has a hand in shaping the future of the game she loves.

And she’s not doing it alone. She points to local female rugby legends like Renee Wickliffe and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who started a girls’ team at Arataki Rugby Club when no competition existed for their age group.

“So they played the boys, and won. Now they’ve got two girls’ teams and even fundraised to travel to Christchurch for a national girls' festival. That’s what leadership looks like.”

Another changemaker is Victoria Grant, former Hurricanes Poua head coach. “She found out only two Tauranga teams went to a Waikato tournament, so she created her own under-11s competition at Rotoiti, and nine teams turned up,” says Tiana. “They’re creating opportunities so their daughters can come through with real game experience, not just talent.”

Reconnecting the pathway

Back in 2018, Tiana moved to the Bay of Plenty with her husband, who joined the Black Ferns Sevens as a strength and conditioning coach. She was close to retirement, juggling training and parenting their daughter, when a gym conversation changed her direction. “Someone asked me if I would consider being a referee and I said ‘hell no’. But it planted a seed.”

By 2019, she had made the New Zealand referees squad and officiated her first Sevens nationals in Tauranga. Since then, she’s gone on to referee the Farah Palmer Cup final, be nominated for Referee of the Year, and become the second woman ever to officiate a men’s NPC match. At the same time, she was also stepping into leadership, taking on the role of general manager for high performance at Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. There, she saw firsthand how disconnected the women's pathway had become from the community.

“The academy (Athlete Development Programme), had been established to guide amateur players into a professional environment and we were trying to build depth in the Volcanix team, but we realised we had to go back to where it all starts, which is the clubs.” She leaned on her own experience coming through a strong development system in Auckland. “The truth is, “I remember thinking, we’ve got to go back to boosting and investing in community rugby. We want more girls playing rugby and staying in the game.”

The cup that counts

While teaching at Te Whare Kura o Mauao, she took the reins of the school’s rugby programme and pushed her team to compete in the open grade. “In our first year, we made the final. The girls didn’t realise how good they were. But eligibility rules blocked us from going to Nationals. So I turned to coaching the Western Bay U18 girls. That year, we won the Youth Development Cup.” That cup, she says, is the only talent identification tournament for girls’ rugby in the region. “You see the talent on the fields every weekend, you know, that one, and that one… they’re Black Ferns in the making. But then what? There’s no New Zealand U18 or U20 women’s team. The pathway just stops.” BOPRU’s newly launched U16 and U18 girls’ league, beginning this season, is a direct response to that gap. It offers girls their first true 15s competition, which is crucial for developing real game experience before reaching rep level.

Playing for the mana of the jersey

Tiana credits much of her success to early mentors like Anna Richards and Hannah Porter, who shaped the game with vision and heart. Now, alongside people like Brendon McKeown (community rugby manager), Ryan Setefano (women and girls pathway manager), and Jess Walrond (women and girls participation manager), she’s part of a movement to restore pride and purpose to the club jersey.

“Back in the day,” she reflects, “all you wanted was to wear the Bay of Plenty jersey. That was it. The battles between Eastern, Western and Central Bay – that can be our Super Rugby.”

Brendon and the BOPRU team have continued her work since she stepped back to focus on refereeing and coaching. Together, they’ve launched a five-year strategy, a new province-wide competition, and created dedicated roles to drive participation and retention.

“There’s a vision and commitment at union level to create a sustainable framework to increase participation and keep girls playing through safe, supportive transitions,” says Brendon. “We want girls to thrive through every stage of rugby. Because they need to love the game, to stay in the game. From rippa rugby to secondary schools, into club rugby and beyond. To feel that same pride of pulling on their club jersey, knowing they’re part of something bigger.”

And that honour runs deep. “I referee down in Te Paroa, Whakatāne, and that’s where I enjoy the game most,” says Tiana. “Because of the people. That’s where rugby lives. It’s not about deals or contracts or being one of the few percent that make it to the black jersey. It’s about whakapapa.”

Beyond performance Tiana sees both sides of the game – elite and grassroots – but she’s clear-eyed about where the energy needs to return. “Rugby’s in trouble right now. Too much emphasis is on Super Rugby. The potential is massive in this region – there’s so much raw talent here – but we need to come back to the hāpori (community) because that’s where the passion is.”

Her dream? A purpose-built high-performance centre for women in the Bay of Plenty. “That would be the ultimate. A home for women’s rugby. Somewhere the girls and women can thrive, not just on the field, but as leaders and changemakers, as wāhine.”

She’s also watching the future unfold close to home. “My eldest is nine now and starting to play rugby,” she says, her voice softening. “And I’m hopeful she’ll be part of a generation of women players who are thriving at every stage of their rugby journey.”

What’s emerging in the Bay of Plenty is more than a rugby revival. It’s a movement led by wāhine toa, parents, coaches, and club legends, with the support of a rugby union who now have a clear strategy to shape pathways for the next generation of female rugby players. These people believe that rugby is still, at its heart, a game of belonging. A game that teaches values, builds character and connects generations. And if these community leaders have anything to say about it, the girls coming through today won’t just play rugby, they’ll inherit the full weight and honour of what it means to represent.

Finding your stride

Turns out there’s more to running than just putting on sneakers and hitting the pavement. Whether you’re 25 or 65, staying injury-free, fueling right and building strength are key to making it stick. We talk to the experts and the everyday runners who prove it’s never too late to get out there.

words HAYLEY BARNETT

No matter how you feel about running, one thing is clear: it's everywhere. These days, it seems like everyone you know is diving into a training plan, whether they're chasing their first 5K finish line or grinding through the ks in preparation for a marathon. Running, it appears, is enjoying a major moment.

So what’s behind running’s sudden glow-up? Is it finally time to rescue your sneakers from the back of the closet and join the stampede of Lycra-clad converts?

Or is this just another fleeting wellness craze, destined to vanish like kale chips and the Atkins diet? And let’s be honest, can anyone actually start running after 40 without something falling off?

Running the numbers

The numbers suggest running as a hobby is more than a passing trend. In 2024, the Mitre 10 MEGA Tauranga City to Surf Fun Run/Walk drew over 2,000 participants across its various distances. Helping fuel this momentum are local running communities like the Mount Maunganui Runners & Walkers Club. Founded in 1987, the club has long offered a supportive space for runners of all levels, with regular training sessions and social runs that make it easy, and fun, to get moving.

“I think the idea that a running club is only for elite or ‘good’ runners is being challenged and more people are realising that anyone can get out and run,” says president of the club Clare Watkins. “People are also looking to make connections with others and a running club is an easy way to meet new people and make new friends. There are not many sports where you can participate and still chat to your friends!”

Clare says around 70 percent of the group would be over the age of 40, with the oldest members being in their seventies.

The art of impact

So what do we need to think about when starting a running routine later in life, when we’re not quite as flexible and agile as we used to be? Emma Sievwright, a podiatrist at Body Mechanix in Tauranga, says, when done with care, running is very beneficial at any age – there’s just a few things to think about first.

“Running improves cardiovascular health, bone density, mental wellbeing and metabolic function,” explains Emma. “From a podiatrist’s view, running can strengthen foot and ankle structures if approached gradually and with the right support.”

That “right support” often starts at your feet. Alison from Smiths Sports Shoes agrees: “Wearing the correct footwear is very important if you want to enjoy your runs and stay injury-free.”

She advises seeking a professional assessment. “Getting a barefoot gait analysis, preferably a video while running and at a sports shoe shop that specialises in fitting sports shoes, can help you find the right shoes for your foot type.”

Emma adds that most running injuries stem from overuse, poor biomechanics, or inappropriate footwear. That’s a message echoed by Alison, who says many runners make simple but costly mistakes when buying shoes: “People often assume their normal shoe size is the same in running shoes, or they buy what's trendy rather than what fits. You should be able to splay your toes and have at least a finger-width from your longest toe to the front of the shoe.”

Different surfaces also demand different shoes. “Road shoes are generally for smooth hard surfaces,” Alison explains, “whereas trail shoes with more grip are better for muddy or slippery terrain.”

So yes – the type of shoe matters more than you might think. Aside from choosing the right shoes, Emma says it’s easy to avoid injury by following a few preventative steps.

“Build gradually by increasing your distance and intensity slowly. Aim for no more than a 10 percent increase per week. Warm up and cool down properly to support muscle and tendon health, and work on strength and mobility, especially around the ankles, hips and core.

“Most importantly, listen to your body. Don't ignore early warning signs like persistent soreness or changes in your running pattern.”

Run smart, eat smarter

While throwing yourself into an intense running routine is not the best idea, neither is ignoring your nutrition.

“Poor nutrition can impair tissue repair, energy levels and bone health, increasing the risk of overuse injuries,” says Emma. “Runners who under-fuel are at greater risk of stress fractures, muscle fatigue and slow recovery. Adequate intake of protein, calcium, Vitamin D and overall calories is crucial, especially for female runners or those with restrictive diets.”

Phoebe de Jong, a nutritionist from Fend in Mount Maunganui, stresses that nutrition is fundamental when it comes to running, not only to avoid injury, but also to retain muscle.

“If you’re over 50 and you like to run, you absolutely do not need to stop running,” explains Phoebe. “Running is good for your bones, it's good for your mental health and for those who are part of a run club, that is often their social contact for the week. It's their social circle and how they make their friends. It can be a lifeline for some people. But any runner over the age of 35 should look at doing strength training alongside it, such as functional movements with or without weights, to support their running and protect their muscle mass.”

Because runners expend a lot of energy, when we’re not taking in enough nutrition our bodies can naturally start to use muscle for fuel, especially as we age.

“I see a lot of clients in their 50s who are just burning their muscle for energy,” says Phoebe. “A balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats fuels the body for optimal performance. Hydration is equally important as dehydration can impair endurance and recovery. Consuming easily digestible carbohydrates, like a banana or an energy gel, during the run can help maintain blood sugar levels. Post-run, it's vital to replenish glycogen stores with a combination of carbs and protein.”

Phoebe says it’s important to be wary of fad diets or trends such as ketogenic diets or anything too low carb. “As you start to run a bit more then it’s worth considering using a carbohydrate rich snack before your run (carbohydrate is the main fuel we use to run) and then a combination of a carbohydrate and protein snack. For example, go for greek yoghurt with oat cereal and fruit or eggs on toast after your run so that you’re replacing those carbohydrate stores ready for your next session, and providing protein to repair and build muscles.”

As runs or events become longer, the specifics of nutrition become more important to maintain performance and health. Even sugar – long demonised in wellness circles – has its time and place. But no matter who you are, you might be surprised to know that sugar is not off limits. In fact, it can be very beneficial.

“A lot of runners are surprised to hear sugar being recommended in their diet,” says Phoebe. “But during training or competition, it’s often the most effective source of fuel. This is because sugar is an easily digestible source of carbohydrate to keep stores topped up, so pace can be maintained. Sports drinks, gels, fruit leathers, are all suitable options and they all contain sugar. We are then able to get all our other important nutrients in a balanced and healthy diet around our training.”

When you combine this kind of nutritional support with proper training, good technique and the right footwear, you're setting yourself up for long-term success.

Whether you're jogging around the block or prepping for your first half-marathon, one thing is clear: running is here to stay. And with the right support – on your feet, in your diet, and in your community – it can be something that truly goes the distance.

All for one, run for all

Sam Ruthe hit the headlines after a phenomenal summer of running, becoming the youngest in history to break the four-minute mile. Much of the talented Tauranga teen’s success, however, can be shared between his amazing support crew and a burgeoning squad of local runners pushing each other to great heights.

words + photos JAMIE TROUGHTON

They set off across the Tauranga Domain turf like a collective freight train; legs like pistons, a metronomic pounding, lungs puffing in time. A 900m track winds around the outskirts of the reserve, if you stick to the grass and hug the treeline. It’s scenic and varied, with enough undulation to spread the load across tired muscles.

Out front is a rangy, fair-haired kid. Eyes locked, expression calm, a distinctive stride with minimal front lift — seasoned observers reckon he’s got his dad’s gait and his mum’s flowing style.

“You don't have to worry about pacing or going easy or going hard — you just have to worry about sticking with the group,” 14-year-old Daniel Addidle explains. “It’s like you can turn your brain off a bit. I really like that.”

But Sam Ruthe isn’t having things all his own way in this training set. He’s not so much a lone wolf as the leader of a pack, and this pack is surging, snapping and fighting around him. Eventually, after six repeats of the 900m set, the pack stretches, lengthens and thins out.

As Ruthe’s rhythm increases, his times decrease. The 16-year-old’s running form isn’t so much relentless as irrepressible. He finishes alone, unflustered and focused. But this story isn’t just about the breakout schoolboy star. Behind him, that pack is far from defeated. Young and old, they’re all getting faster and, in doing so, creating a very special training environment.

“You don't have to worry about pacing or going easy or going hard — you just have to worry about sticking with the group,” 14-year-old Daniel Addidle explains. “It’s like you can turn your brain off a bit. I really like that.”

The diminutive Aquinas College athlete joined coach Craig Kirkwood’s squad of runners late last year. He’d been training at the Domain by himself, then sitting in the stands watching the likes of Ruthe, Olympian Sam Tanner and seasoned schoolboy runners George Wyllie and Ronan Dickson blaze past.

Eventually, he plucked up the courage and asked to join in. “I liked that they were a little bit older than me and if I managed to get on their level, I'd be a step ahead of my own competition. I just want to be the best that I can be.”

In Tauranga, thanks to squads like Kirkwood’s, running is becoming cool. Just ask another 14-year-old, Mackenzie Hetherington, who joined the squad soon after her good mate — Ruthe’s younger sister Daisy — was deemed old enough by her parents to start training.

“I just like being with the crew — it gets a bit boring running by yourself and it’s nice to have friends to run with,” Hetherington said. “It gives us a healthy mindset — you do your reps when you need to and then we can switch off, talking while we warm down.”

It doesn’t matter if you’re an Olympian, a national champion or a young flyer at the start of their running career, the same work ethic pervades the group. Kirkwood’s crew is a fully-fledged, functional team, here for the running, the laughs and the camaraderie, in equal measures.

“It wouldn’t be enjoyable if we all took it too seriously,” Ruthe explains. “Everyone can have a bad day but the fact we all have so much fun means that it doesn’t matter if we’re not feeling great or working through an injury. We are all pretty focused when we are doing reps but there is always a bit of banter going on.”

Philosophy or fluke? Planned or stumbled on? It’s clear Kirkwood’s canny coaching instincts are not only producing world-class athletes but also instilling a genuine love for what they do.

His runners aren’t afraid to fail, which means that before they even line up, it’s guaranteed they’ll succeed. “I’m not the kind of person to tell them off for anything,” Kirkwood, a former Commonwealth Games marathon runner, muses. “If they don’t show up to training one day, I’m not going to berate them for not being here. My job as a coach is to help them be better, rather than telling them off for doing things wrong, and that flows into the rest of the squad and they pick up on that.”

When Sam Ruthe captured the attention of the running world in March, becoming the first 15-year-old on the planet to run a sub-four minute mile, one of his heroes was alongside and one of his good mates had the best seat in the house. The hero was Tanner, another Tauranga product, who has been to two Olympic Games and has emerged as New Zealand’s best middle-distance runner.

Three years ago, as a 13-year-old from Ōtūmoetai Intermediate, Ruthe was standing next to Tanner at Tauranga’s Waipuna Park, having just won the Year Eight boys’ cross country title at the Zespri AIMS Games. All the talk at the time was of how Tanner had won the same title nine years before, and whether Ruthe could one day emulate his achievements. That day has come quicker than anyone – parent, coach or athlete – could ever have anticipated.

Earlier this year, Ruthe and Tanner created history in Dunedin by sharing the New Zealand senior men’s 1500m title in a 3min 44.31sec dead heat. Ruthe is the youngest ever winner of the title. Less than a fortnight later, Tanner was again right beside Ruthe, pacing him at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium as the teenager clocked an incredible 3:58.35 for the mile.

“I didn’t realise at the time but breaking that record means that I can now get into races I never thought I could before and getting into fast races is what helps you keep getting faster,” Ruthe says.

But the life-changing nature of that race didn’t stop with him. In fourth place, tucked in behind Tanner, Ruthe and Manawatū’s Ben Wall, was another now the kids are coming through.”

It just happened that two of those gun runners in the neighbourhood were Wellington-raised middle distance star Ben Ruthe, and his new wife Jess, daughter of running royalty Rosemary (Commonwealth Games gold medallist for Scotland) and Trevor (marathon champion) Wright.

When their kids Sam and Daisy eventually – and not unexpectedly – started showing promise, Ben and Jess wisely resisted letting them begin formal training until they were at least 13, to prevent burnout and promote a more mature approach to their running. It’s meant that Sam, for one, is certainly taking success in his stride, safe in the knowledge he and his mates are in the best space possible for their development.

“All of us really look forward to Craig’s sessions and there’s always a good vibe. We’re really lucky that some of our friends from around the country come and stay here and join in our sessions too – we all know it’s something special he has created.”

Re-Belles with a cause

The newly formed Re-Belles is a collective of wāhine lifeguards over 50 years of age, who are challenging traditions, uniting women and inspiring the next generation of surf life savers.

words KAREN CLARKSON photos JAMIE TROUGHTON

Pictured above: Ali McMaster, Joanne Miller, Naomi Davoren, Karyn Leach, Sandra Boubee, Karen Giles, Michelle Kalma, Catriona Manning and Kate Morley.

In the rolling surf of Mount Maunganui, a group of lifeguards are redefining what it means to compete in surf sports, proving that age is no barrier to strength, endurance, and camaraderie.

Founded by Omanu Surf Club member Sandra Boubee, an ironwoman, surf lifesaving competitor, and teacher at Ōtūmoetai College, the Re-Belles were formed out of a desire to inspire women to keep moving, keep connected, and compete well beyond the age when most athletes retire from competitive surf sports.

Historically, surf lifesaving has been steeped in masculine culture. While women have played crucial roles –stepping up for rescues during wartime and patrolling beaches since the 1950s – their competitive opportunities have been limited. Surf lifesaving competitions often require competitors to form a team from their club only, meaning that women in the veterans category (49+), often the sole competitors in their age group from their club, have little chance to participate.

Boubee, who has moved between Pāpāmoa and Omanu clubs just to continue competing, sees the regulations for team events as a major barrier for female lifeguards.

“We are seeing one or two veteran women competing at regionals and nationals in the individual pursuits, but you need a minimum of three to enter water events and four for beach relays,” she says.

Above: Naomi Davoren.

Alongside fellow lifeguards Trish Mau and Claire Edmonds, Boubee saw the appetite for female lifeguards to stay active on the water, train with women from other clubs and have the opportunity to enter more competitions.

Determined to change the status quo, last year she approached the organisers of the Mount Monster; one of New Zealand’s most prestigious endurance events that allows composite teams (amalgam of two or more clubs), and successfully lobbied for the creation of a veteran women’s team category. With this, the Re-Belles was officially born; as was their training schedule to prepare for the gruelling endurance event consisting of a 12-kilometre surf ski, a five-kilometre soft sand run, a 1.5-kilometre ocean swim, and a six-kilometre board paddle.

Above: Sandra Boubee.

Stronger together

In the lead-up to the competition, the Re-Belles held fortnightly training camps bringing together 16 women aged 51 and over, with the oldest competitor aged 66. Some were seasoned athletes; others had never entered a surf sports event before. What united them was a shared passion for the ocean, lifeguarding and a commitment to pushing their limits together.

“For many of us, it was a big transition,” says Karyn Leach of Pāpāmoa Surf Club. “I’m a confident swimmer in the pool, but out in the ocean navigating the conditions is a whole different challenge. Jumping off the end of Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) for the swim leg was something I never thought I’d do. But the support and encouragement of the group made it possible.”

Trish Mau, a long-time Omanu lifeguard and swim instructor, echoes this sentiment. “A mature post-menopause body is very different from a 35-year-old one. We learned to work smarter, not harder. Our training wasn’t just about endurance – it was about using the wisdom of our years and adapting.”

On race day last December, the four Re-Belle’s teams all placed on the podium in their category, with their first two teams finishing ahead of the under 19’s teams – proving that female lifeguards 49+ have the grit and ability to take on the tough event.

“People from within our clubs and the wider surf lifesaving community were so inspired,” says Boubee. “We had veteran men asking, ‘How were you allowed to enter?’ And some of the under 19s commented that they had to paddle harder on the water because the ‘old ladies’ were catching them,” she laughs.

Building a lasting legacy

What started as a small group training for a single event has grown into something bigger with goals to enter more events in 2025. The Re-Belles are now 18 members strong with lifeguards from Whakatāne to Waihī joining their ranks.

“At the end of the day, we all patrol the same stretch of coastline,” says Boubee. “Building these relationships only makes us stronger and the goal is to keep growing and inspire other regions to follow suit.”

To keep the momentum going, the group hosts regular Sunday training sessions, paddling around Motuotau (Rabbit) Island or running beach drills.

“You have to keep moving at this age,” says Mau. “And every time we’re out there, we’re not just training – we’re learning. Conditions, tides, waves, they’re always changing. That knowledge makes us better lifeguards.”

The Surf Life Saving New Zealand motto is ‘In it for Life’ and the Re-Belles are evidence of that.

“Women over 50 often feel that competition doesn't cater for them,” says Boubee. “But we’re proving otherwise. There’s strength in our numbers, in experience, in resilience. We are reminding lifeguards across New Zealand that they can compete at any age. And when young women see us out there, they see a future for themselves, too.”

The group is calling on more event organisers to remove barriers to entry by allowing composite teams, to allow more veteran competitors to take part.

“If you make space for us, we will show up,” Boubee says. And they’re calling on more women, whether they’re lifeguards, athletes, ocean-swimmers or simply looking for a new challenge, to join them.

“This is about physical health, mental health, community, and connection,” says Boubee. “Whatever your background, whatever your story, there’s a place for you in this movement.”

As they continue to train together and advocate for change, the Re-Belles are proof that the ocean belongs to everyone, at any age.