Empowering the Next Generation of Female Football Leaders

The Head Coach of the New Zealand U17 Girls, Alana Gunn, was one of the guest speakers and coaches at WaiBOP Football’s first Wahine Toa – Whakatipu Kōhine programme last week. 

Whakatipu (from Te Aka Māori Dictionary): “Acquired leadership, power and status accrued through one’s leadership talents”.

Held on July 10 and 11 in Hamilton, Whakatipu Kōhine bought 34 aspirational female football and futsal players from the WaiBOP region together. 

The two-day programme was designed to provide an opportunity for aspirational Kōhine (young females) to work with wāhine coaches from our wider Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. As well as a football training session, on the grass sessions included learning refereeing skills, goalkeeping and Te Uru Pūkenga (coaching).

Alana Gunn, NZ Football U17 Girls Head Coach

In the classroom, the cohort heard from Guest Speakers Anahera Parata from New Zealand Rugby League who gave a korero (talk) about waiwhero (menstruation); and Luuka Jones, Olympic Athlete in Canoe Slalom, the Sport BOP Young Women & Girls Lead who presented on nutrition and what having a balanced life/hauora looks and feels like as an athlete. Alana Gunn led a workshop on leadership principles, including the 'circle of influence'.

The Wahine Toa programme aims to support holistic development and build on football knowledge together in a fun and safe learning environment all while making new friends from around the region. 
A key focus of the programme is on strengthening self-confidence and leadership capabilities, and building connections.

The programme weaves in tikanga (Māori customs and traditional values) and mātauranga (knowledge and wisdom) such as the sharing of pepeha through whanaungatanga (shared experiences and relationships), unpacking gratitude and Te Whare Tapa Whā (mental health and wellbeing) through whakawhetai (to give thanks) and the significance of simple goal-setting through Matariki’s star of Hiwa-i-Te-Rangi. 

On the grass at the Whakatipu Kōhine programme

The Wahine Toa programme is led by WaiBOP Football’s Natalie Broadhead, who says she loves seeing the kōhine build connections across the two days – both with each other, and with the coaches and staff who attend. 

This is the sixth delivery of the Wahine Toa programme, which started with a pilot in September 2022, and the first that has focused on players who have aspirations to play at a high level.  

The next Wahine Toa is being planned for the September 2025 school holidays, and will be for players of all abilities.

FIFA 11+ Warmup at Whakatipu Kōhine

Player Criteria

The criteria for players to be invited were: currently playing football, born in 2008, 2009 or 2010, and meeting at least one of the following criteria:

• Currently playing in a TDP team.
• Have played/currently playing in the National Women’s or Youth League in 2024 and are on the list for 2025.
• Currently playing in this year’s 2025 NRFL Youth U14, U16 or NRFL Women’s Premiership, Premiership Reserves or NRFL Women’s Championship leagues.
• Formally identified by NZ Football in 2024 or 2025.
• Represented WaiBOP at NZ Futsal Super League or NZ Futsal Youth Champs in 2024 or 2025.
• Playing in a W-League team and their club believe they are at the level required for the NZF U17 Pathway.
• Identified by WaiBOP staff.

This criteria will be reviewed to ensure that it is still fit for purpose in any future Whakatipu Kōhine programmes.

Article added: Wednesday 16 July 2025