Emily James, 21, is a Driving Creek Zip Lines, Coromandel instructor by day and a Thames Valley Vixen after hours.
Although Emily was born in Queensland’s Caboolture, Coromandel is her hometown.
She’s proud to represent the Coromandel Rugby Club which has a 137-year history.
The lock/flanker has been passionate about rugby since watching her cousin play as a child.
“I remember thinking I want to be like that when I’m older,” Emily said.
“I enjoy rugby as it is a sport where women are pushed to be the strongest they can be, which isn’t something you see in society as a whole.
“It’s empowering being around women who all push each other without competing against each other.”
Taking up rugby at a young age, Emily represented Coromandel Area School until age 13.
“I played until we weren’t allowed to be in a combined team with the boys. Our school was too small to make a girls’ team after that.”
After finishing high school, she moved to the big smoke of Hamilton in 2022, joining Fraser Tech.
Emily returned to the Coromandel area the following year and played for Hauraki North, as it was the only women’s team, before joining her current club in 2024.
While with Hauraki North, she gained selection in the up-and-coming Thames Valley Vixens side.
The regional women’s team plays against other Heartland rugby provinces and is becoming a formidable team.
Across two seasons, 2023-2024, Emily has become a well-established member of the squad, playing 13 games.
Emily has also shown her versatility and love for the oval ball, representing the Thames Valley touch and sevens teams.
“Making my Vixens début definitely fulfilled my expectations and taught me how much I had to grow as a player,” she said.
“It’s been so cool to represent my region in the red and yellow and do it with people from my hometown Coromandel.
“It’s an honour to pull on the Vixens jersey and represent the province I grew up in, while playing alongside women that I have known for most of my life outside of rugby.”
She’s even got to rub shoulders with some legends of the women’s game.
Among those were Canterbury centurion Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox and Black Ferns stalwart Renee Woodman-Wickcliffe who donned the colours in 2024.
“Playing rugby with and against Black Ferns has definitely been a highlight for me. Seeing how they lead and read the game is something I aspire to do in future years.”
In 2025, Emily will take on some new challenges and opportunities on the otherwise of the world.
One day she hopes to return to her beloved Vixens.
“This season I will be travelling to England and Wales to play some club rugby with some of the ladies I met through playing for the Vixens,” she said.
“I’m excited to experience new playing styles and become a part of some new clubs.”
