Women’s rugby role ‘perfect fit’ for Estelle

PETER JONES

Women’s rugby in New Zealand is riding a wave of popularity after the Black Ferns’ World Cup heroics, prompting Estelle Uren, Tasman’s newly-appointed community women’s rugby manager, to suggest, “women’s rugby in NZ is an electrifying space at the moment and I am fortunate to be working in it”.

Estelle, who kicked off in her new role last month, will be based in Nelson but is tasked with serving both Tasman sub-unions equally and she can’t wait to get fully involved.

“There is a huge excitement around the women’s game and we are ready for an influx of numbers across the region,” she said. Estelle has a strong rugby pedigree.

Born and raised in Kaikoura, she played sevens for the United Arab Emirates national team, based in Dubai, for five years. Upon moving home to Christchurch in 2011 she played for both the Kaiapoi and Christchurch clubs, earning rep selection in the 7 and 15-a-side game. As a flanker/ lock, Estelle represented Canterbury from 2012-19, picking up three FPC titles along the way. After retiring from top level rugby, she played some club footy in

Taranaki before moving to Nelson in 2021.

The opportunity to put her hat in the ring for the new Tasman role came out of the blue, but it was a perfect fit at the perfect time.

“I wanted a job where I was more connected with people … community-based,” she said.

“I knew that I wanted to be involved in the rugby space, either playing coaching or supporting somehow and funnily enough, this role popped up. It fell in line with what I was looking for … I feel pretty lucky.”

Her role in community rugby covers JAB rugby, age grade and the women’s competition and is focussed on women and girls’ development. Although she is not directly involved with the women’s high-performance programme, Estelle hopes to align what she is doing with that pathway.

She was adamant that any immediate development in the women’s game had to be meaningful and sustainable.

“This year especially is about working alongside and supporting clubs with what they have already been doing in the women’s space.

“There has already been great strides made in the community so the focus is to enhance that through further development and upskilling for the players, coaches and volunteers in the game. It’s key that we foster an environment where everyone has a positive experience.”

Through playing at a high level and being a keen observer of the women’s game as it has progressed, Estelle feels there is a difference between male and female players around what encompasses positive participation.

She illustrates that point with a philosophy which was doing the rounds last year, implying females “need to feel good to play well”, whereas males “need to play well to feel good”.

“They suggest that’s one of the differences between the psyche

… it’s certainly an interesting concept,” she added.

Marlborough women will have a chance to catch up with Estelle and reap some immediate rugby benefits when a four-week development programme, involving work on technique and basic game skills for both coaches and players, begins later this month.