Scott's main role will be to assist with the development of the Women’s game in the region, setting up systems and pathways within the Union for those players that aspire to wear the Cambridge Blue of Northland and hopefully beyond.

Scott comes to the NRU after 10 years working with Auckland Rugby from Primary Schools through to Secondary Schools as well as the club system and representative sides.    
 

What is your aim for the Women’s game?

"I have a vision to establish Northland as a premier Women’s Rugby province in New Zealand because I feel there is an untapped potential in Northland for the women’s game. It hasn’t had the proper support it deserves in recent history so I want to change that and support the clubs and the players to get to the top. The Women’s game has blown up recently with the profile being raised through the Olympics, World 7s Series and the Black Ferns latest World Championship…and there have been many players that have been involved that have ties to Northland."

"It’s an exciting time to get involved as the game starts to head towards more professional competitions for Women – it’s a viable career pathway now much like it is for the men!"

"Rugby should be a sport for all Northlanders to be able to access and I want to encourage the clubs to be more accessible to female players, right from the Junior grades up to Senior Rugby."
 

Snap shot for the Women’s game in Northland in the future:

* Competitions set up for players to compete in. I want to target the post-JMB age group and Seniors to create a full pathway: Small Ferns to Black Ferns.

* Competitions to be run from May to July, during term 2.

* Wednesday evening competitions for U15 to U18 age brackets. This will open the opportunities to play to all those Northland girls that play other weekend sports.

* Senior competition to be re-established with a goal to field a Northland team in the Farah Palmer Cup national championship.

* Look to expand current Saturday competitions in JMB to have girls-only grades in the next year. In the long run it would be great to have IMB Girls grades but this would be a long term objective.

* Provide opportunities for players to represent Northland and Regional and National level in Sevens and traditional 15 aside rugby.

* Provide strong leadership from the Union to all stakeholders across the region.

* Create more home grown Black Ferns that’s start and continue to play their rugby in Northland

Check out the Northland Women’s Rugby website links
Vision Click here     Where to Play Click here     Women's Rugby Competitions Click here

To get involved follow the links below:
PLAY WOMEN'S / GIRL'S RUGBY 
COACH WOMEN'S RUGBY
 

Scott Collins
Women's Rugby Development Manager
P: 027 283 6185
E: scott.c@northlandrugby.co.nz