News

Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union are proud to announce the appointment of their new Womens Rugby Development Officer Cynthia Ta’ala.

CMRFU Rugby and Operations Manager Dameon Chaney say’s “more girls and women are playing rugby than ever before. For women to succeed in rugby at any level, they need more opportunities to play. To deliver these opportunities for girls and women, Schools and Clubs need to be supported and well-resourced”.

The CMRFU Women’s Rugby Strategy aims to harness the growing popularity of rugby amongst girls and women and provides a framework to grow the game from Small Ferns through to Black Ferns. The hiring of Ta’ala can only improve on an already impressive women’s high performance rugby program by building the base at junior clubs, schools and senior clubs. The Counties Manukau Women’s rugby team currently hold both National trophies in 7’s and 15’s but it’s at its foundations where the opportunity lies to grow the game.

Chaney say’s “CMRFU’s long term player development model focuses on creating opportunities to play and the development of players to reach higher honors. To have a women’s RDO will enable our Union to have someone soley focused on these pillars. These playing programs are also a way of identifying our volunteers, coaches, referees, managers, administrators and it is up to us to offer development opportunities to keep them in the game”.

Cynthia has an extensive sporting CV, representing New Zealand in both Basketball (at the age of 16) and Rugby League winning 3 World Cups. Cynthia has also represented Manusina (Samoa Women’s Rugby team) captaining the side at the Women’s 2014 World Cup in France.

Cynthia comes to us having played for both Counties Manukau 7’s and 15’s teams (winning the National Farah Parmer Cup in 2016), assisted with the National winning 7’s team and works to develop our youth in our Girls Academy and coaching the CMRFU U18 Girls representative team.

Her former role with TreeHouse (a private training establishment) focused on programs where learners gained key skills, confidence needed to secure and retain sustainable employment with core knowledge as a basis for further education.

Ta’ala says “The Women’s Development Officer position combines my passion for developing and encouragaing people with sport now as the vehicle.  I have a love for counties and growing up in the region gives me the opportunity to give back.  I look forward to meeting potential players who want to give rugby a go and develop those who want to go further in the game”

Fort those wanting to know more about Women’s rugby, secondary school girls or junior girls rugby programs, please contact Cynthia.  E: cynthia.taala@steelers.co.nz or M: 021 831 096