A group of parents have got together and created an all-girls JAB team that they hope will have a long-lasting legacy in the Eastern Bay.

Rangitaiki Girls Rugby is the brainchild of Ash and Joe Clements, Kate Henwood and Chubb Hale.

While it’s just a team at this stage, down the line they are hoping it will incorporate more teams.

Rugby is booming, especially in the women’s space when Eastern Bay success stories such as Stacey Waaka, Mahina Paul, Mererangi Paul, Luka Connor, Ruahei Demant and Henwood to name a few are inspiring girls to enter the sport.

In mixed teams, girls are often not passed the ball by the boys at junior level or are given fewer minutes on the field.

Establishing an all-girls team takes such happening out of the equation.

Ash Clements said a conversation got the ball rolling.

“Last year, the four of us were thinking how beneficial it would be to have an all-girls team. To grow together, learn together and play together.

“We reached out to all the girls we knew would be interested that have played touch together and started forming a team.”

She said there had never been an all-girls team to play in the EBOP JAB but with girls and women’s rugby growing in New Zealand, everyone was on board.

“Our girls are talented players, and we think with the support and knowledge of our coaches, Hale and Ihimana Herewini, our girls are going to go far.

“While most of them are new to rugby, that won’t be a deterring factor as they’ll all be learning together.”

She said as a Black Fern, Henwood was a great role model to have alongside Herewini, who had played for the BOP Volcanix and has been a big figure in the Poroporo women’s rugby team.

“Our girls think it’s pretty epic that they can get taught by Kate Henwood when she is here. It’s pretty special as she’s mum to Stella, and Chubb’s partner. She plays for Chiefs Manawa and the Black Ferns so for the girls, what an awesome role model to have – something they can drive towards when they get older.”

The team will be sporting flash new green and black uniforms with a tinge of purple and playing matches out of the Edgecumbe Sports Club.

“We wanted to have an element of feminine in our colours, hence the purple. But we also wanted to stand out and be different,” Clements said.

“I went to Naarp designs (Kelly Phillips) with a concept and vision and Kelly nailed it. Green and purple just mixed well.”

She said it was awesome to see their dream becoming a reality, helped in part by the businesses that had jumped on board to make sure it got off the ground.

“This is something that is very humbling for us and the whānau involved. The community has been our biggest supporters and the drive, passion and determination from our kotiro is next to none. Being the first all-girls team to play in the Whakatāne EBOP JAB is exciting.

“I reached out to two local businesses in town that are very close to Joe and I, and they were on board straight away, McLeods Drainage Whakatāne and Dominator Whakatāne.

“They got our club up and running and have sponsored our girls’ playing kits and player of the day trophies etc. They are super-pumped to come to games and be our biggest supporters. Without them, it wouldn’t have been as easy to form our team and get them ready for the season as it has been.”

She said they’d love to have more teams in the future.

“This is the biggest goal the club has; to have teams in all grades from 5 through to 12 years old.

There are 19 girls in the team and all of them are excited to be part of this incredible journey and opportunity.

Clements said having an all-girls team created an environment where girls could develop greater confidence because it allowed them to feel more comfortable and supported in expressing themselves.

“The shared experiences and understanding between teammates can break down barriers, making it easier for each individual to speak up without fear of judgment.

“Girls are more likely to take risks, share their ideas, and step into leadership roles.

“This sense of camaraderie and mutual encouragement fosters an empowering space where young girls can grow, take initiative, and build their self-esteem without hesitation, ultimately helping them unlock their full potential,” she said.

Their goal for the year is simple – give it their all and have fun – although Clements said they were also working hard towards competing in the NZ junior girl’s rugby festival, being held in Wellington later in theyear.

“Over 57 teams compete from all over New Zealand and it would be an amazing opportunity for our girls.”

The EBOP JAB season starts in May but before then, the girls are playing some warm-up games around the region.