Three Eketahuna players have been included in a 30-strong Manawatu Cyclones women's rugby training squad preparing for the 2012 national provincial championship.
Midfield backs Shakira Baker and Amy Williams, who have both have played for the Black Ferns, and halfback Tatiana Tafatu, are all part of the Eketahuna team contesting the Wellington premier division competition. But they have decided to seek selection for Manawatu Cyclones rather than Wellington Pride for the NPC series.
And that's welcome news for Cyclones coach John Kendal, the former Wairarapa-Bush skipper who is now on the staff at Palmerston North Boys' High School. "Like everybody else, they will have to earn their spots in the team. But yes, it is good to have players of their calibre wanting to play for us," Kendal said.
Interestingly, 25 of the players in the Manawatu squad come from just two clubs, 13 from Kia Toa and 12 from Freyberg Old Boys. Eketahuna have three and Linton two.
Meanwhile, Kendal and another Eketahuna Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney have joined forces to coach the Wairarapa-Bush team, which will take part in the NZRFU Go For Gold central regional tournament in Palmerston North on Sunday, August 12. Kendal and Mahoney have organised training sessions, to be held at Memorial Park at 10am on Sunday, July 29 and Sunday, August 5. They are keen for any players interested in representing Wairarapa-Bush at sevens to try out.
