Northland - Kaikohe
Date: Sunday 16th August
Registrations closed.
Ako Wāhine
Ako Wāhine is more than a coaching course – it's a nationwide initiative that recruits, retains and celebrates women in rugby coaching by creating opportunities to learn, connect and grow.
Whether you're taking your first steps into coaching or already supporting a team, Ako Wāhine provides a welcoming environment where women can learn, connect, grow and thrive together.
The programme is built around four key goals:
-
Recruit more women into coaching through women-focused Small Blacks and Level 1 coaching courses.
-
Retain women already coaching by providing ongoing learning opportunities, mentoring, support and strong coaching networks.
-
Celebrate women in coaching by sharing their stories, recognising their contributions and inspiring the next generation of coaches.
-
Collaborate with Provincial Unions to create more coach development opportunities and increase the number of women coaching rugby across Aotearoa.
At the heart of Ako Wāhine is a learning environment designed specifically for women. Workshops prioritise connection, whakawhanaungatanga, confidence and practical learning, with experienced facilitators, peer support and childminding available to make participation more accessible.
The 2026 Ako Wāhine programme includes the NZ Rugby Foundation of Rugby Coaching (Level 1) qualification, with an expanded range of learning experiences in development for 2027 onwards. Delivered through a blended approach of online learning and in-person workshops.
Ako Wāhine is an ongoing coaching journey that connects women with continued development opportunities, a supportive coaching network and the confidence to keep growing throughout their coaching career.
Hear from our local wāhine
Meet local wāhine who coach players from all walks of life and across different levels of the game. Their stories show that there’s no one pathway into coaching, and no single perspective that defines a great coach.
Whatever your background, your experiences and perspective bring something valuable to the way you coach and support others.
Find a programme near you!
The 3-hour course is free to attend. To register select the nearest programme below:
Northern Zone
Northland - Whangarei
Date: Sunday 9th August
Registrations closed.
North Harbour
Date: Thursday 7th May
Registrations closed.
Auckland
Date: Wed 19th August
Registration closed.
Waikato
Date: Friday 17th July
Registrations closed.
Thames Valley
Date: Sunday 3rd May
Registrations Closed.
Bay Of Plenty
Date: Monday 11th May
Registrations closed.
King Country
Date: Thursday 11th June
Registrations Closed.
Taranaki
Details coming soon! Watch this space
Central Zone
Poverty Bay
Date: Monday 29th June
Registration closed.
Ngati Porou East Coast
Date: Monday 29th June
Registration closed.
Manawatu
Date: Monday 6th July
Registrations closed.
Horowhenua Kapiti
Date: Wednesday 12th August
Registration closed.
Wairarapa Bush
Date: Thursday 16 July
Registration closed.
Wellington
Date: Monday 22 June
Registrations closed.
Southern Zone
Canterbury
Date: Wednesday 1st July
Registration closed.
Mid-Canterbury
Date: Monday 29 June
Registration closed.
South Canterbury
Date: Thursday 25th June
Registration closed.
Southland
Date: Sunday 26 July
Registration closed.