Zoe Whatarau’s week is filled with rugby these days — from work to leisure — playing for the Otago Spirit.
But pulling on the boots for her ninth season with with Farah Palmer Cup team is juggled among the many other hats she wears.
She became the first female president of Alhambara-Union last year and works fulltime developing the women’s game for Otago Rugby, but her most important role of them all is being mother to her son, Tama Frood, who turns two next month.
So how does she fit it all in?
"You just do it. You get on with it," Whatarau said.
"Everyone’s pretty cool about it, though."
The 29-year-old grew up playing rugby back home in Taihape and moved to Dunedin in 2013, joining AU, who had won the club rugby title the previous year.
Since then, they had been through a 10 year "rebuilding" phase, capped off by finally winning the title this year, under co-captain Whatarau.
"It was pretty awesome because it was my first title. Our team environment was awesome."
It was an "honour" to be appointed the club’s president, helping her see rugby from a different angle, alongside her role in female participation for Otago Rugby.
"It’s awesome.
"It’s good to see rugby from another perspective, I suppose, and just how much growth there is.
"Not just in women’s rugby, just in women’s sport in general. When you get to be right in it, working in it, it’s really cool."
The flanker had witnessed changes through her years with the Spirit too. The environment was more professional, players were recognised more by the public and they were well supported by the rugby community.
"In terms of, like, the level of rugby, individual skillset, and the structure of our games, it’s like tenfold."
There was a new dynamic among the team this season with a new coaching group, including head coach Craig Sneddon, and she loved playing with the group of "core old girls" and the youngsters coming through.
"I think there’s, like, a lot of new, young girls who are a part of the team and they’re really ... relishing the opportunities, which is cool."
The Spirit suffered their first loss of the season last week, falling 42-20 to Northland. But they get to redeem themselves today, against winless North Harbour in their first game at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
They needed to have a better attitude on defence and get the ball wide more to finish it off, she said.
"When we do get it to width, get it to our wingers, we’re on fire.
"We execute those little things and we’ll be sweet."
Sneddon agreed, saying the team were excited to play under the roof.
"I think obviously the brand of rugby we’re looking to play as well, which is reasonably width-to-width and at good speed, I think the stadium suits us.
"It’s nice to get back in there and obviously it’s an awesome surface."
