We’ve seen women increasingly join and lead boards, as well as women’s rugby icons being recognised by the crown — a trend that isn’t slowing down
Global Women Member Mavis Mullins (Rangitāne, Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi, Te Arawa) is continuing her trailblazing: this time as the first woman president of Hawkes Bay Rugby Union.
“I’d like to put a spotlight and a bit of my time and effort into seeing how we can continue to grow and nurture women’s rugby in Hawke’s Bay” — Mavis Mullins
In talking with James Perry of Global Women Partners, Whakaata Māori, Mavis shares that it’s a privilege to be in this position but “it’s disappointing that there are still ‘firsts’ like these in this day and age.” “But never mind, that’s me, impatient!” she adds.
Mavis also shares her vision for seeing rugby develop further in her area of Aotearoa. “We’ve got four women’s teams in the bay at the moment -— that’s a bit of rebuilding. But we’re up for that. They’re an awesome group of young women, so I’d like to put a spotlight and a bit of my time and effort into seeing how we can continue to grow and nurture women’s rugby in Hawke’s Bay.”
“The platform is there, all we have to do is leverage off it” — Mavis Mullins
She also nods to the power that the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup has yielded: “The platform is there, all we have to do is leverage off it.” Adding, “how amazing that Aotearoa got behind it [Women’s Rugby World Cup]?”
Read the full interview with Mavis over on Whakaata Māori to hear more about how rugby is in this inspiring wāhine’s blood, her further thoughts on this role, and her thoughts about leveraging the recent Rugby World Cup.