New Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki believes the inclusion of women into a professional rugby league competition was a long time coming.
NRL women's premiership head coach Luisa Avaiki Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
After 25 years of being part of the women's rugby league scene as a player and coach, Avaiki is relishing the opportunity of being part of its evolution to the professional playing ranks in the NRL.
Avaiki's credentials to coach the national side comes from playing for the Kiwi Ferns since its inception in 1995 and captaining them in the inaugural World Cup in 2000, then leading the side to two further successful title defences.
Luisa Avaiki playing in the 2008 women's rugby league final at Suncorp Stadium Photo: ©PHOTOSPORT www.photosport.co.nz
After hanging up the boots, the determination to see the sport and female athletes within it succeed created the opportunity of being approached for the role six weeks ago.
"I've been in the game for a long time, this journey hasn't just happened recently, the history of women's rugby league in New Zealand spans over 30 years," said Avaiki.
"The women's team (Kiwi Ferns) has been around for ages so those who have been involved in it would say it's about time.
"Our girls actually need rugby league experiences at a high level. The more games they can play the better prepared they will be at the elite level."
Avaiki has been supplied with a list of 24 potential players to choose from as part of the recruitment process and after deliberation is likely to keep the name 'Warriors' as their official team name.
"Our women have kids who recognise the Warriors as OUR team, it's not like it's a men's team and here is a women's team," said Avaiki.
"If the Warriors have come to a decision that they now have a female team who they back 100 percent the girls will be happy to be part of that name."
The newly crowned coach admits she hoped opportunities like this were made available while she was playing although making women's rugby league history is by far the pinnacle of her career.
"I have seen a lot of firsts - I was the first female to coach my clubs men's grade and win an under 20's title.
"New Zealand women's rugby league has had a lot of firsts that I have been a part of and this competition is going to be the first of many things this team is going to achieve."
- RNZ
