With the summer sports season wrapping up, winter sports such as rugby, league and football are beginning to fill up Christchurch fields. Up-and-coming rugby league star Manea-Faith Waaka is juggling two codes this winter, committing to both women's rugby and women's rugby league in the 03.
19-year-old Waaka first put on her footy boots at the age of 15 for the Marian College Rugby team. Since then, her hard work, determination and love for the game of rugby have opened up a world of opportunities. During her first season of rugby, she was selected for the U19 Canterbury Girls Team where she played until she finished high school. Following high school, she was selected to train in the Canterbury Women's Squad for the Farah Palmer Cup. In addition to this, Waaka has transferred her skillset into different codes, wearing the fern on her chest in Rugby Sevens, Touch and now Rugby League.
Waaka only began her journey in Rugby League in 2023. After playing women's rugby for The Christchurch Women's Rugby FC on a Saturday, she pulled on a Sydenham Swans Rugby League jersey every Sunday. Finding a passion for the game of league, Waaka then went on to make the Canterbury Women's Rugby League team.
New Zealand Rugby League selected Waaka to be a part of the 2023 The Ahi Kā Aotearoa squad after she participated in the ‘RISE’ Talent Development Programme which was delivered in partnership with the NRL. Recently, Waaka played for the Ahi Kā Aotearoa team in the Harvey Norman Women’s Championship on the Gold Coast. NRLW coaches gathered at the four-day tournament, scouting for up-and-coming stars from across Australia and the New Zealand team.
The team won two out of four of their games.
“It’s a great opportunity for us Kiwi girls to get noticed on the big stage,” Waaka said.
