New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is proud to announce that its inaugural Ahi kā Aotearoa under-19s girls team will
compete in the Australian Harvey Norman Women’s National Championship in May. NZRL has selected 20 players to represent
Ahi kā Aotearoa off the back of the successful ‘RISE’ Talent Development Programme delivered in partnership with the NRL
earlier in the year. The RISE programme better prepares young players for the rigours of high-performance environments
such as the NRLW, targeting female players aged 17-19.The formation of Ahi kā Aotearoa follows a successful year of
female participation in the rangatahi age group here in NZ, which saw the introduction of the first National 16 & 18 Girls 9s Tournament, National Secondary Schools Girls Tournament, National Youth Tournament and the first National
Representative fixtures for 16s & 18s Girls age groups. The Harvey Norman Women’s National Championship is an elite pathways tournament allowing players
across Australia and now New Zealand to showcase their skills in the representative arena. The tournament consists of 12
teams split into three pools across a four-day draw held in Pizzey Park, Burleigh, from May 18. Ahi kā Aotearoa will be
one of three teams alongside NSW and Queensland that feature under-19s talent only, with the remaining nine sides set to
be a mix of 19s and open players. GM of High-Performance and Football at NZRL Motu Tony says, “This is a really exciting
opportunity for our young NZ wāhine to showcase their skills across the Tasman, which will hopefully lead to the NRLW
and the Kiwi Ferns. “Thank you to the NRL for extending this invitation, this is an important aspect in the development
of female rugby league in New Zealand. I look forward to seeing our game (female) maintain its tremendous growth.” A
tournament draw and squad lists will be released in early May. Entry to the event is free across all four days.