News

For the first time in over a decade the Pukekohe Rugby Club will enter a women’s team and they look to be doing it in style with some big name acquisitions.

Pukekohe has entered a team in the Auckland Premier Women’s competition for 2023 in a move that has seen a number of Counties Energy Heat stars come onboard.

Skipper Shyanne Thompson and long-time Heat star Rebecca Burch are among the names that have been training at Colin Lawrie Fields and will turn the fledgling team into immediate contenders.

For Thompson and Burch, a team based in Pukekohe means a much easier commute to play rugby.

Former Pukekohe premier player David Faitala has been confirmed as coach of the side – the ex-Wesley College 1^st XV mentor is well respected, particularly in the women’s space.

It is a bold move for the club and one that they are seriously committing to.

“We had 26 girls at a muster the other night,” Pukekohe vice president Patrick Twomey told Counties Sports Hub.

 “We did a big construction weekend the other weekend and we built dividing walls through the showers.

 “So women’s home and away teams will have their own shower and toilet blocks.

 “Shyanne and Bex are with us and so too is Nikki Bhana, who started playing with us when she was 14 and is now on the coaching staff.”

 It is expected Manurewa, Papakura, Ardmore Marist and Patumahoe will also field women’s teams this year while there are rumours of other clubs making attempts as well.