Three mother-daughter duos played together on the same rugby team in the Cook Islands Rugby Union women’s competition, inspiring young women and highlighting the power of family bonds in sports.

The year 2024 was a monumental one for women’s rugby in the Cook Islands, as girls from the Maine Tuporo programme and village clubs made a mark on both the Cook Islands Rugby Union (CIRU) and rugby league seasons.

The growing presence of young women in the sport has brought energy, excitement, and inspiration to the game. Yet, among the incredible stories that emerged, one stood out as particularly rare and heartwarming: three mothers playing alongside their daughters on the same team.

It’s not every day that you see mothers and daughters sharing the field in a competitive sport like rugby, yet this season saw Suniela Tom and her daughter Mahana Sijp, Julz Westrupp and her daughter Tashi Kopu, and Jammie Gotty with her daughter Edon Lily Teraitua doing just that.

Suniela Tom and Mahana Sijp

Suniela Tom never expected that she would return to rugby after starting her family, but when her daughter Mahana began playing rugby at just 14 years old, she felt a deep desire to protect and guide her.

“As a mother, you want to see your daughter succeed in life. But to be honest, I only started playing rugby again to protect her,” Suniela says with a laugh.

Mahana, now a talented and determined rugby player, was thrust into the world of open women’s rugby at a very young age. At that time, the Black Ferns were beginning to make waves as a global force in women’s rugby, inspiring many young players, including Mahana.

But Suniela was determined to be more than just a spectator in her daughter’s journey.

“With Mahana’s skill at such a young age, I thought to myself, ‘I can help build her to be even better.’ So, I made her play until she learned to enjoy it,” Suniela recalls.

Now, years later, the mother-daughter duo has become a formidable force on the field. They’ve developed a deep understanding of each other’s playing styles, strengths and weaknesses, creating a unique dynamic that few get to experience.

“We bicker, we laugh at each other, but most of all, our teamwork is better than ever. I know her strengths and weaknesses like no one else, and helping her grow has been my priority,” says Suniela.

Their rugby journey hasn’t been without its challenges. This year, Mahana participated in the Touch World Cup in Nottingham, UK, where she played in the Open Women’s Division and the team earned an impressive fifth place ranking globally.

Returning to the Cook Islands halfway through the CIRU season, she had only three games left to play. Despite the tight schedule, Mahana shone, scoring multiple hat tricks and being named the Best Backline of the Season at the CIRU Awards last week.

When asked what message she would share with other young mothers and daughters, Suniela’s response is heartfelt.

“I know all mothers hope to see their children succeed. To all the young mothers out there, be that role model your child looks up to. Life is short, yes, but the lifestyle you present for your daughter will stay with her forever. Be active with them, even though they may not always listen. Have patience, and trust the process.”

Julz Westrupp and Tashi Kopu

For Julz Westrupp, her journey with her daughter Tashi on the rugby field began quite unexpectedly.

One day, Julz’s team was short a player, so she asked 11-year-old Tashi to step in.

“I told her to stand on the wing, catch the ball, and don’t let anyone run past her. And that’s how it all began,” Julz says with a smile.

That day marked the start of Tashi’s rugby journey, and Julz took on the role of her coach and mentor.

Over the years, they played rugby league together, and now, at 15 years old, Tashi is thriving in rugby union alongside her mother.

“I truly believe players come from good coaching,” Julz explains. “I made it my job to teach her the skills of the game – touch, league, and union.”

But it hasn’t always been easy.

Tashi had a passion for netball, a sport her mother doesn’t particularly like.

“I don’t like netball, but that’s the game she loves. I had to quickly become a bit of a boss and push her to like rugby. She even tried out for the U21 netball team but wasn’t successful. It was all part of learning that failure is part of the process.”

Tashi is in Fiji, representing the Cook Islands in football, demonstrating her versatility as an athlete.

Julz emphasises the importance of teaching young players not only to excel but also to work hard and push boundaries.

“We have a community of talent and skill, but what we’re missing is teaching our youth to always work hard, push boundaries, and never give up. If something doesn’t work out, learn from it and try again.”

Jamie Gotty and Edon Lily Teraitua

For Jamie Gotty, playing rugby with her daughter Edon was an experience few mothers get to enjoy.

“Watching Edon play rugby during the season was incredibly fulfilling,” Jamie shares. “It brought a mix of pride, joy and excitement to our household.”

At just 14 years old, Edon faced many challenges on the field, but her determination was evident.

“Seeing her embrace the sport, develop her skills, and build friendships was heartwarming,” Jamie says. “It’s not just about playing together – it’s about creating memories that strengthen our relationship.”

Jamie’s message to other mothers and daughters is one of support and encouragement.

“Always support each other, lift each other up, and celebrate each other’s strengths. Winning isn’t just about scoring points – it’s about believing in one another and inspiring each other to be the best versions of yourselves.”

Jamie’s journey with Edon is rooted in the values her own parents instilled in her – hard work, perseverance, and fearlessness.

“Building a legacy with my daughter started with the hard work my parents taught me. I’ve done some good things and some things that could have been better, but those experiences guide me now.”