Six siblings striving for big rugby future

The Hudson clan, from left Ricoh, 5, Jordan, 15, Teina-Kore, 2, Dad Steve, Kiani 16, Grace, 10, and Ariki, 1. Photo/ Ben Fraser.

It's often said that rugby's a family game and that is certainly the case for Rotorua's Hudson clan, which includes six siblings striving for success at the highest level.

The sporting enthusiast children have been encouraged by parents Steve, 43 and Noelani, 38, who only have one day off a week after driving their offspring to and from a mountain of training sessions and fixtures.

But the hours of dedication are paying off with the two eldest sons - Kiani, 16, a Western Heights student and Jordan, 15, a Rotorua Boys' High School pupil - trialling for New Zealand and representing Bay of Plenty in their respective age groups in touch rugby and their school teams in rugby union.

"Our family life is certainly a hectic place to be," said mum Noelani.

"We are a sport mad family - rugby, league, soccer, basketball, golf - you name it and the kids will either be playing it or watching it.

"But I wouldn't change it for the world - sport is a way of life for us.

"Kiani and Jordan are excelling at the moment and they are a great example for the younger kids to follow."

Grace, 10, a pupil at Selwyn Primary School, represents Rotorua at under-12 level for touch rugby and has impressed for the junior Waikite sides.

Not to be outshone Ricoh, 5, and Teina-Kore, 2, also both play for Waikite in the under-6 Tuhua team.

And cheering them all on from the sidelines is little Ariki, 1, who is yet to play but is already fascinated with rugby balls.

"Waikite is a family team for us and it's a great place for our younger ones to develop their skills," said Noelani.

"For Grace, she has always wanted to play and it's brilliant that she is being encouraged into rugby because you don't always get support to help girls and women into the game.

"Ariki is a little too young for playing but he goes to all the trainings and loves holding a rugby ball."

Grace Hudson, pictured when she was four years old, listening to a Waikite half-time pep-talk. Photo/File

Noelani, who is the manager of four touch rugby teams including Te Arawa Mixed Masters Touch Team and Men's World Masters Touch Team, has high hopes for her children for the future.

"For our children we teach them to strive to the best of their ability and always have fun playing any sport they play.

"I would love one of them to be an All Black one day and with the competitive nature in the family they could all spur each other on to get to that level."

Much of the children's influence into rugby has come from father Steve, whose first love was football - he represented New Zealand at under-17 and under-21 level. But he converted to rugby at the age of 21 and joined Waikite rugby club.

Steve has now turned his hand to coaching and this year is in charge of eight teams including the Bay of Plenty under-18s and the 40s Men's World Masters Touch Team.

"Soccer was the one for me because of the areas I grew up in - it was the sport to take part in," he said.

"But when I came back to Rotorua I became known as the football-playing rugby player after my friends convinced me to give it a go.

"I've always encouraged my children and if they focus and train hard there is no reason why they all can't play at the highest level. A sporting sibling environment will bring the best out of them."