Rugby in NZ
If you are a woman who is interested in coming to NZ to play/coach/research or learn about rugby, then I can help you in many different ways:
- A place to stay
- Access to a network of women's rugby contacts in other NZ cities/towns
- Information regarding women's rugby competitions and seasons
- Opportunities to learn from Wesley Clarke (Black Ferns selector, Regional Coach Development Manager for NZRU - Lower North Island)
- Opportunities to play for club and provincial teams
- Visit the Sport and Rugby Institute at Massey University
- Visit the NZ Rugby Museum in Palmerston North
- Be a part of the Turbos men's premiere Air NZ Cup events
- Meet top coaches and athletes in men's and women's rugby
- Perhaps observe some of the International Rugby Academy New Zealand courses at the Sport and Rugby Institute
- Attend test matches in Wellington
- Possibly head to the International 7s tournament in Wellington and other top events in the region
- Take part in coaching courses and development opportunities
- Learn about the culture of New Zealand (rural, Maori, rugby)
- Do some research in the area of sport management and sport sociology/psychology
- Play a range of other sports and train with other female/male rugby players
- Opportunity to see Black Fern photos and access to Farah's experiences in and knowledge of women's rugby
If you are interested in having a memorable time experiencing rugby in New Zealand, then please get in contact with me.
Testimonials
My last day for now in Palmy... how sad is that. Time just goes so fast when it shouldn't. I had my last NPC trainings and it was pouring rain. The pitch was just mud and water! Challenging conditions to practice but sooo much fun. Lisa warmed us up, we did some quick feet drills and conditioning. After that was unit work with Sharky and Spike and then team run. I was afraid I'm going to cry my eyes out 'cause I have to leave my girls but it was a happy farewell. First I did a mud slide and then girls gave me a good roll in the mud. Girls came to me and I thought we are gonna do a group hug but they carried me to this mudpile and dragged me a while in the mud. It was so funny!! Then lots of kisses and hugs...and goodbyes.
After training I had last dinner with my beautiful family which includes house cat Barcelona, Farah and Wesley, sweet Americans D & Kara, and Rayzor who is one of the NPC girls, awesome chick who inspires me always with her attitude in the trainings. Gives her 110% in every time and as a person is as sweet as can be. Then I got a Manawatu Jersey with my name Finny printed on the back. I was in tears, I was so touched about that. Finny has been my name here since the very first practice in the end of May. It's going to be weird not to hear it anymore.
It's been amazing time, I have learned and experienced so much more than I ever dreamed I would. Palmy and Kiwi people will have a place in my heart forever and I hope I'll be back in here soon. But for now, my job here is done and it's time for me to focus on my club back home and my national team. I have grown a lot during my time in here but one thing hasn't changed and that is my passion for this game. This game is my life. My friend Hipsu wrote me these words when I left from home in may, words which say it all:
Every drop of blood
Every bitter tear
Every bead of sweat
I live for this..
I live for this, live, live
If you don't live for something you'll die for nothing
- Hatebreed: Live for this-
I can never thank Farah and Wesley enought for what they have done for me, all I can say is that they are amazing people, my true heroes and because of them I had the time of my life.
Forever yours, Finny
Tanja Malinen, Farah, and Rachel Seidle (USA)
at the tough guy/gal challenge’ in rotorua
"I've travelled many places all over the world and New Zealand is by far my favorite. I came here to play rugby and I don't think there is another country that has rugby as such a big part of it's culture. Living with Wes and Farah is great. They know everything about rugby and have helped me out a lot...I am so happy they let me come back and stay with them a second time!"
Home life is pretty funny. We call ourselves a whanau (fah-no) which is maori for family. Farah is the mom (although sometimes she
doesn't like it because it makes her feel old. Wes is the dad and he always gets to watch simpsons (and its on for like 2 hours every
night). He also drinks all the Milo (which is like hot chocolate). Tanja is the Finland child. She loves goin to the sauna...and loves
boxing...and loves gym...basically loves everything. Daralisa and I are the American children and we just make jokes that start with "In
America..." and then say all the reasons why america is better than new zealand... but really we are just joking. i love new zealand.
Training is going well. We had a training camp up in the boonies which was for a whole weekend and it was really fun.
Kara third from front
Live, eat, train, play, and laugh in the New Zealand way!
In Japan, we call New Zealand as "rugby ta-i-ko-ku", which means "the nation of rugby players" or "rugby superpower".
Yes, I totally agree!
I've found that it's called like that not only because of the All Blacks, but also there are people loving rugby, living with rugby, and supporting rugby all over the country. There are beautiful green fields to play, great coaches and players to learn from, and lots of mates to enjoy playing rugby with!
I would like to send a big thank you to Farah and Wesley, Bummper and Dixc, Kia Toa team!
I believe if more and more Japanese rugby players go to NZ to play rugby and live like kiwis, they will be able to be more competitive on the world scale!
Yuko and the Kia Toa gals
"My time in New Zealand would not have been half the experience had I not had the good fortune of being able to stay with Farah. She is one of the most supportive, loving and amazing people I have ever known! Farah's positive attitude, as well as her extraordinary sports and cultural perspective have made my time much more than just a rugby trip… it has been a truly amazing and unique life experience."
