Rugby has taken Sene Naoupu around the world, but there is no place quite like Oamaru.
Naoupu, 40, has been appointed chief executive of the North Otago Rugby Football Union, taking over from incumbent Colin Jackson, who is retiring next month after 20 years in the role.
The New Zealand-born Samoan will become the fourth woman, and the first Pasifika woman, to be appointed to the top job at a New Zealand union.
"I feel extremely privileged and honoured to lead my home provincial rugby union," Naoupu said.
"This is the place where it all started for me as a young girl."
Naoupu (nee Taiti-Fanene) has spent the past 15 years overseas, representing Ireland in rugby, sevens and touch and working internationally in rugby advisory and strategic projects and broadcasting.
"From a global and national perspective, I’ve been really grateful to learn so much from some of the best people around me that I’m in a space where I can actually bring that back to the community."
For Naoupu, it is more than just a career decision.
It signalled her return to the pillars of her life: her mother Toeafiafi Taiti, aunt Senetima Taiti, siblings Ali, Hana — the Waitaki District deputy mayor — and Sina and her nieces and nephews.
"It’s about my return home to family, to be closer to my mother, who needs more support these days.
"To be visible to my nieces and nephews of that possibility that they can be in spaces to lead organisations ... certainly in a male-dominated space.
"For me, it’s important to really make sure as a community we’re working together.
"Ultimately, it’s for our 8-, 9-, 10-year-old boys and girls [to be] inspired into a pathway."
Growing up, Naoupu was inspired to play rugby at 13 after watching her brother represent North Otago at Centennial Park. Two of her cousins, Ralph Darling and Manulua Taiti, would go on to have long careers for the Old Golds.
She played for the Whitestone 45ers in Oamaru, and for Otago, before heading overseas to support her ex-husband, former Highlanders loose forward George Naoupu.
She played 48 games for Ireland, including captaining the side and playing at the 2017 World Cup, before retiring in 2022.
Off the field, Naoupu’s impact has been immeasurable.
She was the International Rugby Players Organisation head of strategic projects, which helped transform the women’s game through WXV, and led a player-driven project designed to reduce injury risks and enhance performance.
Naoupu, who can speak six languages, also serves on the Irish Rugby women’s advisory group, was part of the World Rugby women’s advisory committee and the rugby athlete commission and has worked in support roles with Pasifika players.
She was named in Ireland’s top 30 women of influence in sport, has an extensive background in international broadcasting and sponsorship relationships and is working towards a doctorate in elite sports performance at Dublin City University.
