Otago has been given approval to field a team in this year's national women's provincial competition, the New Zealand Rugby Union announced yesterday.
General manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen confirmed Otago would become the seventh side to compete following efforts to raise the funds required to cover the province's costs to field a team.
"We are delighted for Otago.
"We always said we would leave the door open to allow them time to raise the funds needed to cover their costs so it's fantastic that they have achieved that.
"This is an important competition and Otago has a proud record in women's rugby, so we feel this was the right thing to do."
Otago was initially not included in the six-team competition due to kick off on September 22, following financial difficulties faced by the Otago Rugby Football Union.
"The women behind the team have shown real determination to get there and I am sure they will make the most of the opportunity to give their players a platform."Otago joins Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury and new entrant Waikato.
The draw would be revised so the competition could start two weeks earlier to accommodate the extra rounds, Sorensen said.
The NZRU will cover the additional $40,000 in travel costs resulting from the competition extension.
