NZR announce landmark Black Ferns deal

New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association have announced a landmark deal for New Zealand’s national women’s side.

At least 30 players will be employed by NZR on a Black Ferns contract with a guaranteed retainer and assembly fees among other benefits. In addition to the 30 contracted players there will be a wider training squad which will see the Black Ferns Performance Programme cater to a further 20 players, who will train out of Regional Performance Hubs throughout New Zealand. Interim contracts will be available for players called into the Black Ferns squad.

Members of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup winning team will all be offered roles as Rugby World Cup Legacy Ambassadors, where they will be paid for promotional activities that are designed to help grow the game.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew said in a statement that he was proud of the announcement which signalled new era in women’s sport in New Zealand.

“Women’s participation in sport is growing globally, and women represent the fastest growing group in New Zealand rugby numbers. One in seven rugby players in New Zealand is female.

“The Black Ferns – and the Black Ferns Sevens – have rapidly grown in profile, statue, and relevance on the international stage.  This agreement supports them to be the best they can be when wearing the black jersey.

“Rugby fans can’t get enough of the Black Ferns’ exhilarating and entertaining rugby. And, if we want to support players to continue to give their all, we need to ensure we’re providing the best environment in order for them to perform at their best.  Today’s announcement highlights our commitment to all rugby and to the black jersey.”

New Zealand Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol said: “This is a significant milestone for the women’s 15 game. It is a long-term sustainable model that offers genuine pathways and support for female players on and off the field, and that we can build on in the future.

“It is a credit to those players who over several decades who have built such a strong platform, based on an outstanding culture and phenomenal international success, that has enabled this professional performance programme to come to fruition.

“For the future it signals a very real career path for women’s 15s rugby players, one that will allow them to thrive in rugby but most importantly one that will provide an equal focus on helping talent people to achieve engagement and success beyond the game, within their families, communities and chosen careers.”

“We want to thank all those involved to getting the MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] to this stage, it is an exciting time to be a female rugby player in New Zealand.”