Former Kiwi Ferns captain Luisa Avaiki has been named as the first Warriors women's coach.
This week the warriors were confirmed as one of four clubs in the new NRL women's premiership.
Luisa Avaiki Photo: PHOTOSPORT
In an international playing career from 1995-2009, Aviaki captained the Kiwi Ferns to victory in each of the first three women's World Cup tournaments in 2000, 2003 and 2008.
A Richmond Rovers club stalwart, she has gone on to fashion an impressive record in all areas of the game since ending her playing career.
As well as coaching women's, men's and boys' teams at club and representative level, she worked for the Melbourne Storm as their games development officer and has been the New Zealand Rugby League's well-being and women's development manager since 2016.
"We're absolutely thrilled to have Luisa as the inaugural head coach of our NRL women's premiership side," said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith.
"It was a huge day being named as one of the four foundation clubs yesterday and it's even more exciting to be able to announce Luisa's appointment today. We were keen to move on this quickly as we seek to build our team.
"The new competition is taking the club and the women's game into a completely new era which we're so proud to a part of."
Avaiki, who has also represented Samoa in rugby league, rugby union and touch, said she was humbled when given the opportunity to become the club's first NRL women's coach - and, it's believed, the first woman to have a coaching position with an NRL club.
"Women's rugby league has a long history in New Zealand but the introduction of this competition has taken our game to a whole new level," she said.
"It's a huge honour having the chance to take up this role."
Warriors CEO Cameron George, head coach Stephen Kearney, Smith and Avaiki met with prospective players at Mount Smart Stadium yesterday.
"For us, our women's team will be just like our other three sides in the NRL, the Intrust Super Premiership and the Jersey Flegg Cup," said George.
"They'll strive to attain the same values we have for the club's other teams.
"We are all about winning, about having a crack every time we play and making our members and fans proud."
