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The first intake of Tasman Rugby Union's womens high-performance development programme.
Efforts to make the top of the south a women's rugby talent factory have begun in Tasman.
In conjunction with New Zealand Rugby, Tasman Rugby Union has rolled out its inaugural women's High Performance Development programme with a main objective of creating a world-class pathway for aspiring female rugby players to become well-rounded athletes and rugby players.
TRU women's rugby manager and HP programme manager George Vance said the increase in profile of the women's game in recent years presented greater opportunities for players to perform on the national and international stage.
Tasman's programme was based on six pillars of development, incorporating general skill sessions, mental skills, strength and conditioning coaching, nutrition, individual physiotherapy treatment and education, as well as personal development opportunities.
Each player sets their own goals and created individualised performance plans to work through.
Launched on February 18, the first intake has seen 15 women from Nelson and five from Marlborough selected – with room for more to join as the season progressed.
Selection was open to any athlete Tasman-wide who had displayed potential in rugby. Most participants were school-leavers with a handful of Year 13 students also included.
"It's also a good opportunity for those that rugby might not be their sole sport but they're elite athletes that want to capitalise on the growing game," Vance said.
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It's hoped the high-performance programme will produce more local success stories, like Black Fern Sevens player Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, centre.
An example of this was Motueka player and former Commonwealth Youth Games sprinter Amanda Fitisemanu, who had transferred her speed on the track to raw pace on the rugby field.
Since 2017, the province has already produced two Black Ferns Sevens players in Risi Pouri-Lane and Jess Drummond.
Vance hoped the end results would mirror the outcomes of established programmes like the Crusaders Academy, leading to better results on the paddock and better people off it.
"The numbers are growing in the women's game, so for us in Tasman this is just another aspect in which we can lead the way - if we can create a national-leading programme that fosters the raw talent we've got here, we'll see great results in the years to come, especially with the Mako."
While the women's game was making some good metres, a gap has opened up in the careers of two Mako men called into the Blues Super Rugby squad in recent weeks.
First five-eighth Willy Havili has been absent from Nelson's first two 2019 club outings after he was drafted into the Auckland-based squad as an injury replacement.
"It's good exposure for the young man," TRU chief executive Tony Lewis said.
Havili's call-up follows a stint by halfback Jack Grooby, who had earlier spent time in Auckland as injury cover.
The recent additions brought the number of Tasman-sourced Super players signed for NZ franchises to 23.
Current players Levi Aumua and Jed Brown are already signed to the Blues roster, under the guidance of former Mako coach Leon MacDonald.