NZ Rugby has announced a new contracting model for Black Ferns players, which will allow 29 players to leave behind their day jobs and focus on preparing for the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.
Building on the professional performance contracts introduced in 2018, the new contracting model confirms Black Ferns players will have a guaranteed increase to their retainer along with assembly fees and a range of other benefits.
After more than a decade in the team juggling work and training commitments, Kendra Cocksedge, Renee Wickliffe, Carla Hohepa and Eloise Blackwell now find themselves focusing on training and development.
2021 Black Ferns debutants Ariana Bayler, Alana Bremner, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Georgia Ponsonby pick up contracts for the first time.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson congratulated those players named in the contracted group.
“2022 is a blockbuster year for women’s rugby and knowing that our leading players will be able to give their all to training and development was absolutely a necessary step to take,” Robinson said.
Stacey Fluhler and Portia Woodman are not included on the list because they have contracted under NZ Rugby’s sevens programme.
Senior Black Ferns hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, who claimed she suffered a mental breakdown after alleged critical comments from coach Glenn Moore on the northern tour late last year, has not been listed among the contracted players.
The Black Ferns lost all four tests, two against England and two against France, on the tour.
Ngata-Aerengamate’s cliam is being assessed by an independent panel.
NZ Rugby has said further contracts will be confirmed in coming months.
Contracted Black Ferns: Ariana Bayler (Waikato), Eloise Blackwell (Auckland), Alana Bremner (Canterbury), Chelsea Bremner (Canterbury), Grace Brooker (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Ruahei Demant (Auckland), Amy du Plessis (Canterbury), Les Elder (Bay of Plenty), Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Renee Holmes (Waikato), Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Wellington), Pip Love (Canterbury), Patricia Maliepo (Auckland), Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau), Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland), Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Auckland), Krystal Murray (Northland), Aleisha Pearl Nelson (Auckland), Georgia Ponsonby (Canterbury), Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Waikato), Maiakawanakaukani Roos (Auckland), Amy Rule (Canterbury), Chelsea Semple nee Alley (Waikato), Kennedy Simon (Waikato), Grace Steinmetz (Canterbury), Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau), Renee Wickliffe (Bay of Plenty), Kelsie Wills (Bay of Plenty).
