Matatū announces first ever Captains
Matatū is buzzing to announce its first ever leadership roles for the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition.
To lead our South Island wāhine into the season as Captain will be Black Fern and Cantabrian Alana Bremner.
To lead our South Island wāhine into the season as Captain will be Black Fern and Cantabrian
Alana Bremner.
Bremner described the captaincy as a huge privilege, and such a special opportunity to support this new legacy.
“With Matatū being a brand new team, it’s the first group of wāhine to represent the South Island as a whole for a Super Rugby competition. It’s a proud moment for the team and all who have helped to build the foundations of this club, which carries so much meaning.”
“When I got the news I just felt this wave of excitement, it’s such a privilege to lead the girls,” she said.
Not alone in her leadership, Bremner touched on the many other roles and responsibilities within Matatū.
“We’ve got plenty of amazing leaders throughout the group, which are really going to help lead the team in this exciting new competition.”
To support her as Vice Captains will be
Kendra Cocksedge (head of attack)
and Kendra Reynolds (head of defence).
Matatū Head Coach Blair Baxter said the Vice Captains were two amazing athletes who really led by their actions.
“They all have points of difference. Obviously, Kendra Cocksedge, world class not only in her leadership but in her on-field game management. Kendra Reynolds is the same in regards to that defensive aspect – so that physicality, and ‘follow me’ energy.”
“Overseeing that is obviously Alana Bremner. She’s led programmes for a couple of years now and she encompasses both those two, but also layers in a really good level of calmness and understanding of each individual in our programme”
“We’ve got some really good balance amongst our leaders”
Baxter described the leaders’ reactions as humble and honoured.
“Matatu is really special to everyone in this group. They’ll embrace it – they’ll thrive.”
Despite the captain selections, every member of Matatū is a leader - of themselves and of each other, with some extra responsibilities being carried by a particular few. These responsibilities will be to assist with both the game plan and implementing the Matatūtanga the team is built on.
Steph Te Ohaere-Fox and Greer Muir will be leaders of Tūaho (legacy), to ensure Matatū continues to link back to those who paved the way for athletes today. Their role will be about connecting with those who got the team to where they are, recognizing significances in the team and holding one another accountable for the legacy they are creating moving forward.
Di Hiini and Martha Mataele are leaders of Tūhono (connections), making sure all the circles of Matatū are reached and brought into the club. This will include the players and staff, friends and family, fans and commercial partners.
Every player has been given the responsibility of carrying out Matatūtanga (values) Tūmanawa (determination) and Tūtira (unity), as these elements represent alignment as a team, and therefore must be driven by each individual.
Assistant Coach Whitney Hansen played a big role in establishing this leadership structure, to help the team reach their goals both on and off the field.
“We are wanting to create an environment where all players lead themselves well and where everyone holds each other to account around our Matatūtanga,” she said.
There will also be leaders within the team to assist with attack, defence, and set piece.
Matatū cannot wait to bring it all together in the inaugural Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season, as they head into their pre-season game this weekend.