The South Canterbury town of Waimate hosted the Axewomen’s National Test series at the weekend, where the New Zealand Axe Ferns pitted their skills against the Australian Jillaroos.
Canterbury Axemen’s Association secretary Pete McEwen said the annual test series over two days in Waimate was "a celebration of women in chopping".
Teams of nine with two reserves per team were on the field for the Axe Ferns and Jillaroo sides.
A number of men from both sides of the Tasman were also there in support, competing in open mixed heats over the course of the weekend including for the Jack and Jill saw.
For the three-test women’s series day 1 on Saturday had one test with the remaining two yesterday
Each test included three underhand-cut events, a single-saw event, two double-saw events and a newly introduced chainsaw race, McEwen said.
It was all essentially to showcase a sport in which women were increasingly wielding the competitive axe.
"The whole weekend is to be a celebration of women in chopping," McEwen said.
For the Canterbury division of the association particularly — which stretches as far south as the Waitaki — participation by women was burgeoning, he said.
"This side of the sport has grown in the last 20 years.
"The biggest growth we’ve had in terms of numbers in the last two years has been the women’s side," he said.
"The sport has grown in the South Island quite a bit."
brendon mcmahon@odt.co.nz
