The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is bidding farewell to one of its staff members this week as the Black Ferns assemble for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Auckland and Whangarei next month.

Kendra Reynolds, who plays openside flanker for Rangiuru, the Volcanix – and also the Black Ferns –has called time on her day job as womens rugby development manager at the BOPRU to continue her journey as a full-time professional athlete.

A powerful ball running terrier, as well as a fearless tackler, Reynolds has had an outstanding couple of years as she's chased her dream of being a Black Fern.

With more than 50 first class caps for both Waikato and now the Volcanix, Reynolds made a brave decision at the start of this season to head south for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season and chose to play for South Island franchise Matatu. History now tells us that the gamble paid off.

Igniting fire for rugby

BOPRU general manager community rugby Pat Rae says Kendra has been with BOPRU for more than five years 'and in that time, she has ignited a fire for rugby in hundreds, if not thousands of girls and young women”.

Reynolds first started with the union in 2018 as the Western Bay junior rugby manager. Her role then was to build a passionate base of primary and intermediate school kids playing rippa rugby in terms one and four.

After successfully growing the number of modules across the Western Bay from three to five and an increase of about 1000 participants, Reynolds was promoted into the role of womens rugby development manager where she was responsible for driving the strategy of growing women and girls' rugby across the entire region, a role she held until her recent resignation to become a full-time contracted Black Fern.

Hard boots to fill

'It has been an absolute pleasure to have Kendra on our team,” says Pat. 'It's a no-brainer that she's gone on to bigger and better things, because she's just that type of high performing person.

'You can understand why many high performance sportspeople end up being successful businesspeople; those same traits that they either inherently possess or learn are so transferable in the employment world. The entire office is going to miss Kendra's infectious positive personality.”

Pat says Kendra's boots on the grass will be hard to fill for the BOPRU '…but we will do our best to find the next womens rugby development manager and will be advertising the role shortly, with the view of having someone in place before next season commences.”