Vicky Dombroski
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Vicky Dombroski is a former coach of the New Zealand women's national rugby union team. She was also a selector and manager for the team.
Career
Dombroski played for Taranaki at provincial level.[1]
In the late 1980s, the women's rugby movement was emerging but recognition and assistance from the New Zealand Rugby Football Union wasn't available.[2] In frustration, Dombroski wrote a letter to the NZRFU in 1988 requesting permission to have a club competition in Taranaki.[2] She received a letter from former All Blacks coach, John Stewart on behalf of the NZRFU stating that they were in favour of women taking an active role in the game.[2]
She could have attended the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup, but could not raise the needed $5000.
Coaching
Dombroski coached the Black Ferns from 1994 to 1995.[3][4] Until Whitney Hansen's appointment in December 2025, she was the only woman to have coached the side.[5][6]
She was as a selector for the Black Ferns from 1992 to 1997.[7] She was manager of the team that won the 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup in the Netherlands in 1998, and served until 2000.[7][8]
References
- ^ Harvey, Helen (10 May 2019). "Women's rugby: From hand-me-down jerseys to professional contracts". Stuff. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ a b c Palmer, Farah (10 October 2013). "Opinion: Thanks JJ Stewart, and thanks Otago Spirit". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Ash, Julie (10 June 2002). "Lack of women in coaching - Sport News". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Hodson-Tomokino, Taylah (14 June 2018). "Coach Grant trailblazing at rugby's final frontier". Newsroom. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ "Whitney Hansen announced as Black Ferns Head Coach". www.allblacks.com. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Whitney Hansen announced as Black Ferns head coach". RNZ. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Johannsen, Dana (1 March 2022). "Why the absence of women in head coaching positions for Super Rugby Aupiki rankles". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Dinsdale, Mike (24 August 2023). "Herstory of Black Ferns on display in Kaitāia". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)