THREE KEY FACTS Last year, only 25% of coaching roles in Farah Palmer Cup teams were held by women. The Ako Wāhine programme was designed to support high-performance coaching positions for women. Super Rugby Aupiki , which has many female coaches, has filled all but one of its vacancies with men for the next year.
Alice Soper is a sports columnist for the Herald on Sunday. A former provincial rugby player and current club coach, she has a particular interest in telling stories of the emerging world of women sports. OPINION The highlight of my coaching experience this year happened on a Wednesday night.
There was a player I had been working with to convert to a prop. This transition required several safety considerations, not least the social implication of learning these skills so publicly in front of more experienced players. So imagine my joy when she executed her first beautiful lineout lift and the players around her roared in celebration.
That’s what grassroots coaching is all about..
