Rugby: Avery to lead Taranaki Whio as management confirmed

Taranaki Rugby

Taranaki Rugby has confirmed the coaching group that will lead the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio in the 2026 Northern Regions Development competition.

Jason Avery has been appointed Head Coach, supported by Assistant Coaches Matt Goodwin and Greg Plimmer, with Emma Edwards joining the group as Manager.

Avery has an extensive background in the game, vast experience coaching females, a track record of building people first cultures and a deep passion for rugby.

A Sport Taranaki Heathy Active Learning Advisor and proud father of two daughters and a son, Avery is a World Rugby Level 3 qualified coach.

He co-coached the newly established Tukapa Toa Premier Women’s in 2024 and 2025 (finalists) as well as the Sacred Heart Girls College First XV between 2022-2024.

Avery has experience leading Taranaki Rugby campaigns having led the Taranaki Under 18 Boys (2008-2013) and Under 16 Boys (2004-2007) teams.

He is excited about the new challenge of leading the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio programme.

“I feel privileged to be entrusted to lead this important programme and would like to thank Taranaki Rugby for offering me this opportunity and my wife Carly and daughters Anais and Alyssa for strongly encouraging me to accept the position. 

“I am genuinely excited about the vision Taranaki Rugby has to continue to grow female rugby here in Taranaki, across all levels of our beautiful game.

“I am also blessed to be working alongside a high calibre team in Plims, Mattie and Emma who will all add wonderful strengths and are committed to helping to make the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio a team the people of Taranaki can be proud of.”

Plimmer has co-coached the Tukapa Toa Premier Women’s side with Avery over the last two years after an extensive playing career locally and in Western Australia.

Goodwin is a United Rugby & Sports Club Centurion who has stepped into coaching in recent seasons and Edwards is Taranaki Rugby’s Community Operations Leader who brings a wealth of rugby operations experience to the campaign.

The Central Roofing Taranaki Whio Northern Regions campaign kick offs on Saturday August 15 with playoffs scheduled for Saturday September 5. A draw for the season will be released in the coming weeks.

The appointments come as Taranaki Rugby continues its commitment to building a strong, sustainable pathway for women and girls rugby in the region.

Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Officer on Avery’s appointment and the women’s game in Taranaki:

“Jason and his management team bring a wealth of experience to a new look Central Roofing Taranaki Whio campaign.

“While the move out of the Farah Palmer Cup in 2025 was a difficult one, the focus has firmly shifted to how Taranaki Rugby can best support the players coming through the system.

“This programme will sit alongside Taranaki Rugby’s wider work to grow the female game across CMK Club Rugby, the female academy and Glass Group age-grade representative campaigns.”

Taranaki Rugby would like to acknowledge the previous Central Roofing Taranaki Whio management team of Head Coach Tim Stuck, Assistant Coaches Moana Jane-Scott, Rhodes Featherstone and Team Manager Connie O’Brien for their contribution to the programme.

2026 Central Roofing Taranaki Whio preseason planning will commence shortly with CMK Premier Women’s club rugby kicking off in a fortnight.