High-performance rugby and teaching prove a winning combination

The Matatū rugby player and two-time Black Ferns XV representative is studying towards a Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Secondary), specialising in physical education and health.

Growing up on a farm in Tokanui in the Catlins, sport was a big part of Emma’s childhood. She started playing rugby at four alongside her sister. In their small community, there were not always enough players to make up teams, so girls played rugby and boys played netball.

“Rugby has been in my blood since I was born and I’m very grateful for all the support and help I have received throughout my journey. My family are the reason I am where I am today. My Mum and Dad and my sister Jessica have given up so much for me to play rugby and help me achieve what I have so far.”

After completing a sport and recreation degree at Lincoln University, Emma worked as the Women and Girls Rugby Development Officer with Canterbury Rugby. The role, alongside her growing involvement in coaching, helped turn a long-held interest in teaching into a potential career.

“I did a lot of coaching and interacted with young children. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had some subtle shoulder taps of ‘you would be a good teacher’.

“I think teaching was always in the back of my mind. I want to help people become the best version of themselves.”

Several of Emma’s rugby coaches were also teachers, including Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen.

“The biggest thing I have taken from her is that you need to be a good person before being a good rugby player, so I think that part of my teaching and coaching is the most valuable to me.”

She began her teaching qualification this year, with the ability to study online an important factor in her decision.

Friends who had studied through Massey recommended it, while her Professional Development Manager Maree Bowden helped connect her with Massey’s High Performance Sport team.

“Massey’s flexibility has been the only reason I have been able to achieve what I have with rugby and studying. By building a relationship with them, being open and honest with consistent communication, I was able to adapt my practicums to suit rugby and studying.”

That flexibility became particularly important during her first teaching practicum at Christchurch Girls’ High School, when she was selected for the Black Ferns XV for the second time with just two weeks’ notice.

“Massey and Christchurch Girls’ High School gave me an extra week to head away for that and come back and carry on. Massey have been amazing and so adaptable for me.”

Emma was involved in full-time rugby from May to August, while studying from February through to November. She has completed the academic requirements of her diploma and one eight-week practicum, with her second practicum still to complete.

Online lectures and recorded Zoom sessions have allowed her to fit study around training and travel.

“I complete the assignments after training and make sure I have a clear plan of when everything is due and get everything done early.”

Despite studying online, Emma says rōpū groups, regular online sessions and a wānanga in Palmerston North have helped her develop connections with staff and other students.

Her experiences in high-performance rugby are also shaping the kind of teacher she wants to become.

Serious injuries have taught Emma resilience and created opportunities to explore coaching and commentary, while playing in team environments has reinforced the importance of understanding individual needs.

“I need to adapt myself to meet the students’ needs rather than expecting them to suit me. The kind of teacher I want to be is like the ones I looked up to growing up, the ones that build relationships with students and took the time to understand them.”

She also takes pride in watching young rugby players she has coached achieve their goals and develop as people. As she works towards completing her teaching qualification, she believes high-performance athletes already possess many of the skills needed to succeed as students.

“Having a degree alongside playing sport gives a great balance for life and you never know what is around the corner. Being able to be online creates advantages around travel, and I think I have proven that Massey are adaptable and want everyone to succeed.”