The build-up may have been tough but the Ōpōtiki women’s rugby team are back for another season.

After showing some promising signs last year, there have been a few names move on, and the team has had a slow pre-season with players struggling to turn up.

There was a possibility of Ōpōtiki pulling the plug on their women’s team this season, however, player-coach Helena Coughlan dug deep, and they’ve managed to come up with enough players to attack the 2025 season in style.

“It’s been a struggle so far, having numbers on paper but only six players turning up," she said.

"We almost had to pull the pin due to ladies carrying injuries and moving away from Ōpōtiki, but eventually the ladies pulled through and are willing to go forward with the numbers we have.

“Our pre-season has been awesome so far having between six and nine ladies committing, training three times a week, slowly preparing ourselves mentally and physically, getting our fitness levels up, and nailing the basics and rebuilding our culture within the team.

Coughlan said there were no expectations this year, other than having fun and hoping to attract a few new faces to rugby in Ōpōtiki.

“The ladies are excited to just play this year, to get on the paddock and play rugby. The talent in this town is outstanding, the skills and power each player has to offer are something else.”

While a few players have moved on, she said they were welcoming a few players back into the blue-green-and-white.

“This year we have a few māmā returning. Sally Kurei who hasn’t played in four years, last played in 2020 when Ōpōotiki women’s team restarted. We are excited to have her back and amongst us again. Ocean Hata, who hasn’t played women’s rugby but has played through high school, will make her debut this Sunday.

"We have a 17-year-old girl who has moved from Australia and has only played league, but her work ethic and strength in contact is very strong. Her intensity level at training is impressive."

Players to look out for include Coughlan and others.

Sisters Kohitu and Atawhai Mokomoko are massive on the field, very strong and powerful on attack and defence, a big asset to the team.

Jossy Franklyn, a young talented lady who is a workhorse with a very physical presence on attack and defence is another.

Coughlan said their goal was simple.

“We want to use this year to play smart rugby. For the ladies to enjoy their season, gain confidence and to express themselves; to play freely and play with purpose and to get through the season in a positive fashion.”

This year there are some new teams in the competition and Coughlan is looking forward to playing the Arataki, Whakarewarewa, Te Puke, returning Eastern Bay side Waimana and others in what will be a 10-team competition.

The likes of Poroporo and Rūātoki are in the premiership grade and will face Mount Maunganui, Ngongotaha, Rangataua and Tongariro.

“It’s so awesome to see Arataki and Whakarewarewa jump into the competition. We are very excited to play them to see what they have to bring knowing there will be some amazing players amongst them, women’s rugby is definitely growing.”

Ōpōtiki has some amazingly talented players and hopefully they will jump on board to help boost the team numbers and keep it going well into the future.

Meanwhile, the Ōpōtiki men's rugby teams return to action this weekend with the premier men earning a well-deserved bye and the Ōpōtiki senior reserves travelling to the Edgecumbe Domain to tackle Edgecumbe.