Continuing to grow the women's game, at both club and international levels is a priority for incoming New Zealand Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy.
In 2022, women's rugby has experienced a year like no other in Aotearoa.
As well as the continued growth of the Farah Palmer Cup, March saw the first iteration of Super Rugby Aupiki, giving New Zealand its first taste of professional rugby for women.
Then, in October and November, hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup took the international game to new heights, as New Zealanders supported the Black Ferns on their way to their sixth title.
For NZ Rugby, the challenge is now to maintain the impetus for the women's game.
The appointment of Dame Patsy - NZ Rugby's first female chair - is another step in the right direction for the organisation, as it moves towards its target of 40 percent female representation on its board.
Asked about her priority before moving into the role full-time in 2023, Dame Patsy says her and NZ Rugby's desire to see the continued expansion of the women's game is in alignment.
"As it happens, NZ Rugby is already on the path to a lot of the things I think are important," Dame Patsy said.
"It was a priority this year - and will continue to be - that is growing the women and girls' game, not because it should be the province purely of women and girls - it's just a part of the game that's been underdeveloped.
"We've seen already how it's grown the audience, how it's grown whānau participation, We've got some amazing quotes from people who've never been to rugby before and saying, 'This is really entertaining'.
"I want it to be seen more as a family entertainment opportunity for fans."
NZ Rugby has already expanded Super Rugby Aupiki in 2023, with a longer competition already announced.
With NZ Rugby and its Rugby Australia counterparts locking in a Super Rugby Pacific deal through 2030 this month, the women's game is an area both countries will continue to develop.
A report out of Australia suggests Super Rugby Aupiki and Super W could merge as early as 2024.
While NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson was unaware of the report, a combined competition is a target for women's Super Rugby in the future.
"There's certainly a desire to have some sort of finals series that is cross-border, as a bridge to getting to a fully integrated trans-Tasman and Pasifika competition," said Robinson.
"That might be something that's sprung out of discussions we had while we were over in Sydney.
"I've not seen it, but it's certainly part of the plan going forward."
