TAYLA FORD
Tayla Ford has dabbled – and excelled – in just about every sport in the book, but she’s settled on wrestling as her number one priority. Tayla has competed nationally in seven sports, and she’s taken wrestling the next step further – her recent achievements include Oceania Champion 2014 and 2015, 3rd at Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014, and New Zealand Champion 2014.
Tayla’s dream job is to be the New Zealand Female Wrestling coach and to travel around the world with her team. She describes herself as ambitious, reliable and loving – but watch out if you’re mucking around at the gym, because that’s her pet peeve. Tayla is now training hard to make it to the world championships for the first time.
“I like the assertiveness of Forward Foundation, and its aim in promoting and assisting female athletes.”
MELISSA RUSCOE (NZOM)
Undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s greatest athletes of all time is Melissa Ruscoe. Such a bold statement is supported by her history of captaining New Zealand in multiple sporting codes, rugby, rugby sevens and soccer. She is also to be credited with captaining the 2010 Black Ferns to a fourth consecutive World Cup victory. Despite her irrefutable records, you would be hard pressed to find Ruscoe without her two retrievers, whose favourite cuisine is Indian. It is essential busy animals have a balanced diet.
In 2011, Melissa Ruscoe received her well deserved New Zealand Order of Merit as a member for her services to women’s rugby.
STEPH TE OHAERE-FOX
From the 2008 World Champion Black Ferns side and 2011 Black Ferns England tour team, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox has had a strong career in representative women’s rugby. After growing up in Kerepehi, she moved to Canterbury and has become an important leader in community rugby. Te Ohaere-Fox is an instigator of the Christchurch women’s club team, inspiring young and previous players to continue or be involved with the game. Te Ohaere-Fox really stands out above the rest, and the proof is in her ability to wiggle her ears without touching them.
JORDAN TAUFUA (left) & JIMMY TUPOU (right)
These two lads are so inseparable they refused to have individual photos. Both have accelerated through representative squads, with Tupou playing for Counties Manukau and Taufua on the field for Tasman in the 2012 ITM Cup. Their love affair continued after they were both picked for the NZ Under 20 side, and Taufua was also nominated for NZ’s 2012 Junior Rugby Player of the Year following his performance with the team. Tupou is now a member of the Canterbury Crusaders, and believes he edges out his opponents with his aerodynamic shaved legs. Taufua is a man of many talents, and can also be found on stage fuelling his passion for performing arts.
