Within the Southland Community, rugby is more than just a sport - it's a way of life. And behind every successful rugby organisation, there are dedicated individuals working tirelessly to ensure that the sport continues to thrive.  Rugby Southland are pleased to have nine remarkable women who are involved in the everyday running of our organisation. These women, each with their unique set of skills and talents, work tirelessly to promote rugby and ensure that it remains a vital part of the Southland Communities.

Georgia Bewley is the new Women's and Girls Activator, promoting rugby participation amongst our young girls and women.

Georgia Mason is the lead in our Rugby Development team looking after all Coach Education and Junior Rugby,  who focuses on developing the rugby skills of our junior players, whilst upskilling and developing all our rugby coaches. 

Julie Manson is the Community Rugby Manager, whose role is to ensures all Southland’s rugby clubs are well-resourced and receive the necessary support so that rugby can be delivered and enjoyed by generations to come.

Kat Nicoll is the administrative powerhouse, who takes care of all the administrative tasks to keep the rugby organisation running smoothly.

Brooke Johnston is the High-Performance Strength and Conditioning Coach, working hard to keep our HP and academy players fit and healthy.

Cassie Watt, our Referee Manager, is involved in the recruiting of new referees, referee education and is key in the communication between Rugby Southland Referees, Rugby Southland, and all Southland Wide rugby clubs.

Jodie Chilton, our Events and Commercial Manager, organises various events and manages the commercial aspects of rugby in Southland.

Aloma Williams and Toni MacLellan are both Board Directors, and they provide leadership and guidance within the organisation, and both have a passion for an inclusive rugby community.

These nine women are the backbone of rugby in Southland, whose hard work and dedication ensure that the sport remains strong in the community. And while they all have different roles, they share a common passion for rugby and a deep commitment to making a difference in their community.

Cassie and Georgia are both National referees, with years of experience under their belts. Julie and Georgia joined the team in 2023, bringing their unique skills, effervescent personalities, and new perspectives to the table, while Jodie has been a part of the Rugby Southland family since 2005, delivering at every Stags game since.

While their work is not easy and they are faced with many challenges along the way, their hard work is paying off as figures show Rugby’s continuing growth in popularity in the South, with the steady growth of our junior grades helped by more and more young girls and women participation.

On International Women's Day, it's important to recognise and celebrate the important role that women play in rugby and sports in general. These nine women are a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and passion. They inspire us all to strive for excellence and to make a difference in our communities.

So let us celebrate these incredible women and their contribution to rugby in Southland. Let us acknowledge their hard work, dedication, and passion, and let us commit to supporting and promoting women in sports. Because when we support women in sports, we support a brighter and more progressive future for the game we all love.

Left to right: Georgia Mason, Julie Manson, Jodie Chilton, Cassie Watt, Georgia Brewley and Brooke Johnston. Absent – Kat Nicholl, Aloma Williams and Toni MacLellan

Article added: Wednesday 08 March 2023