News

Karaka Rugby Club has confirmed they will enter a women’s team in the Coleman Shield premier club competition this season.

They have locked in Malo Mauga and Frank Schaumkel as coaches of the side and have been training for a number of weeks now.

Last year a group of players approached the club about playing in their colours in 2024 and the club got behind the initiative, which prompted other players to come out of the woodwork.

In the end, the club has opted to enter the side in the Coleman Shield premier competition in a massive boost to both the club and Counties Manukau Rugby.

“We have been really supportive of junior girls rugby and like a lot of clubs had girls playing or even junior girls teams,” president Ray Mountfort told Counties Sports Hub.

[Current Counties Manukau Women's sevens player] Ffion Penney is a classic example coming through and she’s getting to a point where she’s looking around for a place to play.

“It was a great opportunity for the club and we are excited about it.”

It will take the number of local sides competing in the Auckland-wide competition to four – alongside Manurewa, Pukekohe and Papakura.

Patumahoe and Weymouth will enter women’s teams in the 15-a-side development competition, taking the total number of women’s teams in the region to six.