New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has launched a 10-year action plan to transform women's rugby.
After 12 months of consultation with the rugby community, the NZ Women and Girls in Rugby System Strategy has been put in place to help better guide and develop female players and coaches.
With a focus on culture, system, participation, performance, and transitions - the plan comes as union is experiencing significant growth in women's rugby.
Following the Black Ferns World Cup success at Auckland, participants advised "that not a lot of progress is being made" in the systems of women’s rugby
The plan aims to not only capitalise on their success, but to also improve access to participation and remove barriers for women.
NZR Chair Dame Patsy Reddy believes the System Strategy’s launch is a pivotal moment for women's rugby in New Zealand.
"We are riding an extraordinary wave of excitement and engagement with women's rugby in Aotearoa, the likes of which we've never seen," she said in a statement.
The Black Ferns amazing victory last year has shown what's possible when we all come together in support of our wāhine. It is this momentum that is urging us all to embrace this moment and create change.
"We truly believe that rugby is a game for all and there's a huge opportunity ahead of us over the next decade to engage more women and girls. What's crucial is that it is done in a deliberate, structured, and focused way."
