‘All a family' — but by myself

Otago Daily Times

09-07-2025

Sweden's Stina Blackstenius scores their first goal past Poland's keeper Kinga Szemik during their Uefa Women's Euros game in Switzerland. No New Zealand broadcaster has picked up the rights to the Euros this year. PHOTO: REUTERS
Standing together
The Women's Rugby World Cup starts in England next month and it seems timely to recall this quote from Springboks captain Siya Kolisi after supporting his female counterparts at the WXV2 tournament last year.
"Our job is to inspire everybody here and it's my job as a male to support women in sport because they do the same for us when we play,'' Kolisi said.
"I don't think they get the credit they deserve and I think for us as the males in the sport, we need to start celebrating as much as we can.
"We are all a family of sport at the end of the day and we know how well we are supported as men — but I don't have my platform without women supporting me.''
So, the question is, will you be throwing your support behind our Black Ferns — who play the Wallaroos this weekend — again as they hunt to defend their title?
Whistle happy
Matatū fullback Chey Robins-Reti is adding another string to her bow as part of the new cohort for the New Zealand Rugby women's referee scholarship programme for the next two years.
Robins-Reti is no stranger to trying her hand at something new, having represented the Black Ferns, Black Ferns Sevens and the Kiwi Ferns through the years.
She joins Azania Watene (Counties-Manukau), Danielle Tippett (South Canterbury), Hayley Hutana (Canterbury) and Kahurangi Sturmey (Manawatū) as part of the programme.
Each scholarship member receives financial support, one-on-one coaching and mentorship from NZR women's referee development manager Maggie Cogger-Orr.
All by myself
The All Blacks recently flew into town for their opening test, and aside from New Zealand Rugby staff members, The Revolution was the only female reporter in a room full of more than 20 for the media briefing.
It was much the same last year, except there was double the media with a bunch of English reporters and others here for the start of the Razor era — but still just one female reporter.
Granted, there are fewer members of the media attending events than back in the day, but are there really that few women around to send to the big games?
TVNZ has a strong crop of female sports reporters and other newspapers do, too, but more are needed.
Sport is a place where women belong — in all aspects including the press bench — and we need to encourage more coming through the ranks.
Farewell, Jo
Jo Harten, one of the great shooters of the modern game, has called time on her illustrious netball career. Harten was one of the first major English netballers — alongside defender Geva Mentor, who at 40, also retired last month — to play as an import in the southern hemisphere and lead the way for countless others.
After 20 years in England, New Zealand (Mainland Tactix and Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic) and Australia, the 36-year-old will finish up after the Giants' game against the Melbourne Mavericks this weekend.
Harten, who now calls Sydney home with her wife and daughter, retired internationally in 2023 and has been part of England's coaching staff, which has many tipping the mastermind to join the Giants' coaching ranks.
"Leaving netball behind comes with mixed emotions, but I'm eager for the next chapter,'' Harten said.
"I want my daughter to grow up knowing her mum went after bold dreams and that women's sport is powerful and meaningful. I'll always proudly stand behind it.''
Across the Ditch
Speaking of Australia, The Revolution recently visited Australia, picked up a newspaper and had to wade through six sports pages before finding a single story on women's sport.
Go figure.