Rugby: Luka set to join the elite

Luka Connor of Opotiki has become the first women's rugby player to be included in the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's high-performance academy. Photo / Andrew Warner

Former Opotiki College standout Luka Connor has made history by becoming the first women's player to be included in the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's high-performance academy.

The 18-year-old, who was part of the Bay of Plenty Volcanix after a strong club season last year, has been identified by the Bay and New Zealand brass as a player of immense potential.

She will train alongside the Steamers and Development squads when she shifts to the Western Bay of Plenty on a scholarship to earn the certificate of fitness at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic next month.

Connor, who was on hand at the Bay Engineers Provincial Sevens at Mount Maunganui at the weekend but did not play, is looking forward to training for the first time in a professional environment.

"I was in the Future Steamers programme last year with a mix of boys and girls, but I didn't get to go to it much because our women's rugby was on the same day as the academy," she said.

"This year I'll be more focused on the academy. It will probably be a bit awkward to begin with, but then it will be great.

"I'm pretty happy, it's going to be a good year. I'll have good people to help me out with everything and hopefully it goes well."

Connor led Opotiki College to successive Baywide secondary school sevens crowns as well as the Bay's 2014 secondary school first XV title before turning heads as Opotiki finished third at the recent Condor Sevens in Auckland.

She has set her sights on making the national women's sevens side for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but knows it will be tough as the women's game rapidly expands in this country.

"I think women's rugby is getting huge at the moment. There are a lot more younger people playing and everyone is aiming for Rio for sevens.

"There are heaps of girls who are stepping up into women's rugby, but there is a mix. There are a lot of older women, which is good - you get to play with experienced players and they show us what to do."

She is looking forward to another year of club and representative rugby, but was unsure of her immediate plans.

"Last year I played for the Waikite women's team but this year I'm not too sure. Maybe Arataki ... I don't really like changing clubs, but I'm not sure what is going to happen.

"Hopefully this year is a better year for the Volcanix. Last year was our first year back in the competition and I think we did pretty well but there is more to come."

The humble youngster, named in a 60-strong national talent-identification squad with six other Bay players, was thankful for the opportunity.

"I'd just like to say a big thank you to all my family and friends, and especially to the Bay Rugby Union, for giving me this opportunity."