Katelyn Vaha'akolo
{{Short description|New Zealand international dual-code rugby player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Katelyn Vahaakolo
|fullname =
|image =
|imagesize =
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2000|4|18}}
|birth_place = New Zealand
|height = 168cm
|weight = 72kg
|position = {{rlp|WG}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|Te Atatū Roosters}}
|year1start = 2020
|year1end =
|appearances1 =
|tries1 =
|goals1 =
|fieldgoals1 =
|points1 =
|club2 = {{nowrap|Newcastle Knights}}
|year2start = 2021
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 5
|tries2 = 1
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 4
|club3 = Pt Chevalier Pirates
|year3start = 2022
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 13
|tries3 = 10
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 40
|teamA = New Zealand
|yearAstart = 2020
|yearAend = 22
|appearancesA = 5
|triesA = 5
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 20
|teamB = Māori All Stars
|yearBstart = 2022
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|retired =
|updated = 10 February 2025
| first = RL
| ru_position = Wing
| ru_club1 = Blues Women
| ru_year1start = 2023
| ru_year1end = Present
| ru_appearances1 = 18
| ru_tries1 = 13
| ru_goals1 = 0
| ru_fieldgoals1 = 0
| ru_points1 = 65
| ru_teamA = {{nowrap|New Zealand}}
| ru_yearAstart = 2023
| ru_yearAend =
| ru_appearancesA = 14
| ru_triesA = 19
| ru_goalsA = 0
| ru_fieldgoalsA = 0
| ru_pointsA = 95
}}
Katelyn Vaha'akolo (born 18 April 2000) is a New Zealand rugby league and union player. She played {{rlp|wg}} for the Kiwi Ferns at the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup and for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL Women's Premiership. She joined the Blues for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
Background
Born in New Zealand, Vaha'akolo is a New Zealander of Māori (Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua descent) and Tongan descent.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/entertainment/katelyn-vahaakolo-know-your-roots-2022/|title=Katelyn Vaha'akolo - Know Your Roots 2022|website=The CoconetTV|access-date=2024-07-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/champions-of-the-pacific/audio/2018791201/katelyn-vaha-akolo-the-rugby-league-star-with-a-voice-for-change|title=Katelyn Vahaakolo: the rugby league star with a voice for change|date=12 April 2021|website=RNZ }} She is the younger sister of Freedom Vaha'akolo who played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
Rugby league career
In 2020, Vaha'akolo played for the Te Atatu Roosters and Akarana Falcons.{{Cite web|url=https://nzrl.co.nz/players/katelyn-vahaakolo/|title=Katelyn Vaha'akolo - New Zealand Rugby League|date=25 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://asiapacificrl.com/2020/10/06/akarana-falcons-put-on-clinical-performance-against-mid-central-vipers/|title=Akarana Falcons put on clinical performance against Mid-Central Vipers|first=Asia Pacific Rugby|last=League|date=6 October 2020}} In November 2020, she represented the Kiwi Ferns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/123330586/autumn-stephensdaly-stars-on-debut-as-kiwi-ferns-celebrate-milestone-in-style|title=Autumn Stephens-Daly stars on debut as Kiwi Ferns celebrate milestone in style|first=Marvin|last=France|date=7 November 2020|website=Stuff }} In December 2021, she signed with the Newcastle Knights to be a part of their inaugural NRLW squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2021/12/03/knights-finalise-nrlw-squad-with-signings-of-queensland-based-players/|title=Knights finalise NRLW squad with signings of Queensland-based players|date=3 December 2021|website=Newcastle Knights}}
In February 2022, Vaha'akolo played for the Māori All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/02/08/mori-v-indigenous-all-stars-old-heads-and-young-guns-set-to-put-on-a-show/|title=Maori v Indigenous All Stars: Both sides 1-18 with no late changes|date=12 February 2022|website=National Rugby League}} In Round 1 of the delayed 2021 NRL Women's season, she made her NRLW debut for the Knights against the Parramatta Eels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2022/02/27/late-mail-1-17-confirmed-for-opening-nrlw-game/|title=Late mail: 1-17 confirmed for opening NRLW game|date=27 February 2022|website=Newcastle Knights}} She played in 5 matches for the Knights, scoring one try, before parting ways with the club at the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTEyOS0yMTM4LDIxMzQsMjE3OSwyMjI0LS00LS0tLS0zMTU4MC0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org}} She then joined the Pt Chevalier Pirates club in the Auckland Rugby League competition for the 2022 season. She scored at least 10 tries for them, though there were several matches without scorers submitted.
In October, she was selected for the New Zealand squad at the delayed 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup in England.{{Cite web |last=Priest |first=Craig |date=2022-10-02 |title=Kiwi Ferns name 24-strong World Cup squad |url=https://nzrl.co.nz/kiwi-ferns-name-24-strong-world-cup-squad/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=New Zealand Rugby League |language=en-NZ}}
Rugby union career
In April 2021, she played for the Moana Pasifika rugby union side in the Takiwhitu Tūturu rugby sevens competition.{{Cite web |date=9 April 2021 |title=Moana Pasifika women make rugby history |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/440109/moana-pasifika-women-make-rugby-history |website=RNZ }} It was announced in November 2022 that she would be joining the Blues Women for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.{{Cite web |last=Hinton |first=Marc |date=2022-11-15 |title=Blues women sign Kiwi Ferns World Cup star Katelyn Vahaakolo for Super Rugby Aupiki |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300739741/blues-women-sign-kiwi-ferns-world-cup-star-katelyn-vahaakolo-for-super-rugby-aupiki |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Stuff |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-15 |title=CROSS-CODE STAR VAHA'AKOLO JOINS nib BLUES WOMEN |url=https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/vahaakolo-joins-nib-blues |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=Blues Rugby |language=en-NZ}}
=2023=
On 17 April, Vaha'akolo was given a fulltime Black Ferns contract after a standout season for the Blues Women. She was one of 34 contracted players for the year.{{Cite web |last=Ekin |first=Kim |date=2023-04-19 |title=Black Ferns announce contracts for 34 players including six Super Rugby Aupiki standouts |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/black-ferns-announce-contracts-for-34-players-including-six-super-rugby-aupiki-standouts/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-17 |title=Black Ferns contracts announced for 2023 |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-contracts-announced-for-2023/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501212355/https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-contracts-announced-for-2023/ |url-status=dead }}
She made the Black Ferns 30-player squad to compete in the Pacific Four Series and O’Reilly Cup.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title=First Black Ferns squad of 2023 named |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/first-black-ferns-squad-of-2023-named/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607012755/https://www.allblacks.com/news/first-black-ferns-squad-of-2023-named/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title=Nine rookies named in first Black Ferns squad of 2023 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/black-ferns-nine-rookies-named-in-first-squad-of-2023/GQWKTEVJXVBEFD2GB2YOECTUVA/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} She made her international debut against Australia on 29 June 2023 at Brisbane.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-29 |title=PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Wallaroos (Brisbane) |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/preview-black-ferns-v-wallaroos-brisbane/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |last=Burnes |first=Campbell |date=2023-06-30 |title=Black Ferns run rampant in Redcliffe |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-run-rampant-in-redcliffe/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701112014/https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-run-rampant-in-redcliffe/ |url-status=dead }} In July, she started in the Black Ferns 21–52 victory over Canada at the Pacific Four Series in Ottawa.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-09 |title=Black Ferns fly past Canada in front of record crowd in Ottawa |url=https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2023/07/08/black-ferns-fly-past-canada-in-front-of-record-crowd-in-ottawa/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Americas Rugby News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Burnes |first=Campbell |date=2023-07-09 |title=Black Ferns secure WXV1 qualification with Ottawa victory |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/winning/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709024342/https://www.allblacks.com/news/winning/ |url-status=dead }} In September, Vaha'akolo scored two tries in the Black Ferns' 43-3 victory over Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/09/rugby-black-ferns-retain-unbeaten-record-over-australia-to-secure-o-reilly-cup-series.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111095905/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/09/rugby-black-ferns-retain-unbeaten-record-over-australia-to-secure-o-reilly-cup-series.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2023|title=Rugby: Black Ferns retain unbeaten record over Australia to secure O'Reilly Cup series|via=www.newshub.co.nz}}
Vaha'akolo was awarded World Rugby's Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in November.{{Cite news |date=2 November 2023 |title=Women's nominees revealed for World Rugby Awards 2023 |publisher=World Rugby |url=https://www.world.rugby/news/891173/ |access-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217091353/https://www.world.rugby/news/891173/ |archive-date=17 December 2023}}{{Cite news |date=4 November 2023 |title=Marlie Packer crowned World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year |publisher=World Rugby |url=https://www.world.rugby/news/891602/ |access-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114161100/https://www.world.rugby/news/891602 |archive-date=14 January 2024}}
=2024=
Vaha'akolo featured for the Black Ferns in the Pacific Four Series, scoring tries against the United States, Canada and the Wallaroos.{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Adam |date=2024-05-11 |title=Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-kick-off-2024-in-emphatic-fashion |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-19 |title=History-makers Canada claim Pacific Four Series with first-ever win over Black Ferns |url=https://www.women.rugby/news/929041/world-rugby-pacific-four-series-new-zealand-canada-recap |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.women.rugby |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-25 |title=Black Ferns overpower Australia in Pacific Four finale |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-overpower-australia-in-pacific-four-finale |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}} She scored four of nine tries in her sides 62–0 drubbing of Australia in the second test of the Laurie O'Reilly Cup.{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Finn |date=2024-07-14 |title=Black Ferns' Vahaakolo 'living the dream' with 4-try haul versus Wallaroos |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/black-ferns-vahaakolo-living-the-dream-with-4-try-haul-against-wallaroos/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reive |first=Christopher |date=2024-07-19 |title=Black Ferns star bags four tries in romp over Wallaroos |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/black-ferns/black-ferns-v-wallaroos-live-updates-from-the-second-laurie-oreilly-cup-test/Y5A2F4FT6RATRM3XFZONJ4C2F4/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}
=Sevens=
On the 18 November 2024 it was announced that Vaha'akolo had been selected to be a member of the New Zealand Sevens squad to complete at the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments. As well as providing the team with a winger to cover for the unavailability of Michaela Blyde and Stacy Waaka, her selection was designed to both introduce her to the sevens environment and assist with her pre-season training for Super Rugby Aupiki and then the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.{{cite web |last= Kermeen |first= Mat |date= 18 November 2024 |title= Black Ferns star Katelyn Vahaakolo to make Sevens debut |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360491148/black-ferns-star-katelyn-vahaakolo-make-sevens-debut |website=Stuff |accessdate= 19 November 2024}} She has long had a wish to play for the New Zealand Sevens team at the Olympics.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Black Ferns|new_id=Katelyn-Vahaakolo-BF-247|name=Katelyn Vahaakolo|old_id=5249}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630023344/https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/womens-premiership/newcastle-knights-women/katelyn-vahaakolo/ |date=dmy |title=Katelyn Vaha'akolo at Newcastle Knights Women}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303023729/https://nzrl.co.nz/players/katelyn-vahaakolo/ |date=dmy |title=Katelyn Vaha’akolo at New Zealand Rugby League}}
{{Blues women's squad}}
{{Newcastle Knights women's inaugural squad}}
{{New Zealand 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup Squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vahaakolo, Katelyn}}
Category:Dual-code rugby internationals
Category:New Zealand female rugby league players
Category:New Zealand female rugby union players
Category:New Zealand Māori rugby league players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Tongan descent
Category:New Zealand women's national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand women's international rugby union players
Category:Newcastle Knights (NRLW) players