Otago Rugby has been given approval to field a women's team in this year's national women's competition, the New Zealand Rugby Union announced today.
NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen confirmed Otago would be allowed to become the seventh side to compete in this year's women's competition following local 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,'' Sorensen said.
"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 women were initially not included in the six-team competition due to kick off on September 22 because of the financial difficulties facing their union.
Otago faced liquidation due to large debts and inability to pay creditors but was given a last-minute reprieve thanks to a bailout from the NZRU, which has also promised high-profile tests at Dunedin's new Forsyth Barr Stadium.
"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, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury and new entrants Waikato in the competition.
"We will now do some work on revising the competition draw which will see the competition start two weeks earlier to accommodate the extra rounds,'' said Sorensen.
The NZRU has agreed to cover the additional $40,000 in travel costs resulting from the competition extension.
