Our Wāhine

The 2024 Matatū squad features some familiar faces and the addition of some exciting international players, who will help to mentor emerging talent in the South Island and set our team up for the future.

Meet the 2025 Team

Forwards

Backs

“This is a squad to be excited about, we have really great depth across all positions, which is reflective of the great work being done in Otago, Canterbury and Tasman and the connections and pathways growing across these spaces.”

“We have a large number of returning players who are all phenomenal athletes, have great connections and will be great role models for the new talent coming through. Most importantly this is a squad of athletes all committed to finding out how great they can be and great we can become as a team”

— Whitney Hansen, Head Coach

Our 2024 Coaches/Support Staff

  • Whitney Hansen

    HEAD COACH

  • Jason Kjestrup

    ASSISTANT COACH

  • Simon Kneebone

    ASSISTANT COACH

  • Lauren Cournane

    TEAM MANAGER

  • Jorja Simpson

    ASSISTANT TEAM MANAGER

  • Jessie Hansen

    MENTAL SKILLS COACH

  • Jen Croker

    PHYSIO

  • Anika Tiplady

    TEAM DOCTOR

  • Nic Groube

    HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

  • Carlito Shalfoon

    HEAD ANALYST