When the Hauraki Plains College Girls First XV Rugby team realised what happened after the final whistle blew on August 1, their “emotions went through the roof”.
It was the grand final between Hauraki and Paeroa College for the Thames Valley Secondary School First XV Girls Rugby Competition.
“Our feelings were mixed. We didn’t know if we had won or not as Paeroa had been cheering after they had scored and [the] final play was the conversion. We then realised we had won and our emotions went through the roof,” HPC’s Sameera Hayes told The Profile.
Hauraki took the victory with a score of 40-31.
This is also the fifth year in a row the college has won the title and held on to the Allison Stewart Memorial Cup.
Coach Angela Forsyth said it was a tough final and she and the team were happy with the win.
“To win one final is awesome but to get five in a row, that’s quite an achievement.”
Paeroa “really came to play” and “made the team work for it”, she said.
It was clear she was proud of the champs. “Getting to know these young women and seeing them develop their rugby knowledge and skills as well as developing connections across the year levels has been very rewarding.
“It’s been an important connection for me to continue over the past few years and also to work alongside some pretty cool young wāhine,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sameera said winning the championship five times in a row was “such a privilege”.
One thing the girls “put the hours into” this year was getting to know each other and “creating that sisterhood” and bonds that some teams didn’t have, she said.
“We are always bonding no matter what the situation is, we could be doing our structure and the girls would be always talking and laughing even if they got told off a couple times. That’s what I love about this sport, it’s always about having fun and being able to have fun with your teammates.”
Co-captain Amber Perry, 17, said the achievement was a great way to encourage girls in Hauraki to “give rugby a go”. She said it was great to end playing for the Girls First XV “on a high”.
“Having been part of this team for five years, I have seen it go through many changes in players, coaches, and team dynamics.
It was clear she was proud of the champs. “Getting to know these young women and seeing them develop their rugby knowledge and skills as well as developing connections across the year levels has been very rewarding.
“It’s been an important connection for me to continue over the past few years and also to work alongside some pretty cool young wāhine,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sameera said winning the championship five times in a row was “such a privilege”.
One thing the girls “put the hours into” this year was getting to know each other and “creating that sisterhood” and bonds that some teams didn’t have, she said.
“We are always bonding no matter what the situation is, we could be doing our structure and the girls would be always talking and laughing even if they got told off a couple times. That’s what I love about this sport, it’s always about having fun and being able to have fun with your teammates.”
Co-captain Amber Perry, 17, said the achievement was a great way to encourage girls in Hauraki to “give rugby a go”. She said it was great to end playing for the Girls First XV “on a high”.
“Having been part of this team for five years, I have seen it go through many changes in players, coaches, and team dynamics.
“However, from an outside perspective, I believe people still see us as the same competitive team we have always been,” she said.
“That consistency reflects the culture we have built, where every new player contributes to maintaining the high standards and values that define our team.”
The next step for the team is the Provincial Cup and representing Thames Valley and Hauraki Plains College. “We plan to do what we have been all year, staying a united front and work even harder to hopefully make more history.”
They wanted to thank managers, coaches, referees, sponsors, parents and caregivers for “everything you’ve done for the girls this year – it will never go unnoticed”.
DETAILS: Keep up with their journey on Instagram – @hpcxvgirlsrugby.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
