A record number of 10 female players is one of the highlights of this year's Betta Inspect It Hawke's Bay Wakely Shield tournament.
The under 50kg development event that first kicked off in 2003 to assist the development of Hawke's Bay junior rugby is currently playing out at Taradale's Tareha Park, and finishes on Friday.
![Friends and whanau turned out in sunny footy conditions at Tareha Park. Photo / Paul Taylor](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/6FURXBJEXQAKSYFDHQA6JFMAIQ.jpg?auth=38f520741c2a0f3b3c8576f3719131b8f71fd7d59e29c1c510d5ea9ab7e62316&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
Communications manager Caitlin Wakely, granddaughter of the shield's namesake, the late Adele Wakely, said the cancellation of the 2020 event made this year's competition extra special.
![Wairoa players warm up before hitting the field. Photo / Paul Taylor](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/EITFZ6OYBZPO4H5BJWDPK4LRW4.jpg?auth=0c6bae66ae359d7bb1989950492ab727adfdcd29e6fdfb9fa115ed986dc8f1e2&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)