Alice Soper

Guest writer

Alice Soper is known for running it straight and speaking the same. She’s been playing rugby in Wellington women’s teams since she was 13 years old and is a staunch advocate for getting women’s rugby over the advantage line.

The women of the 2025 firefighter calendar (Photo: Flora Driessen)

Intentionally hot: The story behind the mega-viral NZ women’s firefighter calendar

Only 6% of career firefighters in New Zealand are women, but their calendar has already broken records.

By Alice Soper | 4th November, 2025

The Black Ferns’ Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Canada’s Sophie de Goede (Photo: Alex Davidson – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images; Design: The Spinoff)

Doing the bare minimum for women’s rugby is no longer enough to win World Cups

For a long time the Black Ferns' immense talent has papered over shortcomings in how we run the women's game. But talent alone is no longer enough.

By Alice Soper | 27th September, 2025

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scores during the Pacific Four Series match against USA at North Harbour Stadium (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Everything you need to know ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup

A truly comprehensive breakdown ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

By Alice Soper | 22nd August, 2025

Hurricanes Poua perform a haka on March 9, 2024 (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Women’s sport has always been political – it’s about time the CEOs embraced it

The 'controversial' Hurricanes Poua haka didn't come out of nowhere.

By Alice Soper | 12th March, 2024

Chris Coleman, far left, poses alongside Ruby Tui and the Ponsonby Fillies after their 2020 win. (Photo: Supplied, additional design: The Spinoff)

How an Auckland publican made it his mission to help women’s club rugby thrive

The Auckland club champion's shield bears the name of a man who has poured his heart (and money) into the game.

By Alice Soper | 22nd June, 2023

Matatū, 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki champions (Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Super Rugby Aupiki finals review: How Matatū went from winless to champions

A team that had never won a game before this season vs a team that had never lost a game in the competition's history meet in a final for the ages.

By Alice Soper | 27th March, 2023

Mererangi Paul seals it for Chiefs Manawa (Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Super Rugby Aupiki semis review: Matatū, Manawa, rugby all winners on the day

We have our 2023 finalists after a big double-header, but the question remains the same as in week one – Can anyone stop the Manawa?

By Alice Soper | 20th March, 2023

Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly scores for the Hurricanes Poua (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Super Rugby Aupiki week three review: And then there were… four

The semi-final matchups are locked in – and at least one of them is looking too close to call.

By Alice Soper | 13th March, 2023

Bailey Te Maipi learning to skate (Image: Supplied)

The skate school helping wāhine Māori get on the board

For Waa Hine Skate founder Bailey Te Maipi, the biggest joy comes from helping students overcome the mental barriers around skateboarding.

By Alice Soper | 9th March, 2023

Photos: Getty Images / Design: Tina Tiller

Super Rugby Aupiki week two review: Is this the try of the season?

Tenika Willison's touchline offload is going straight to the pool room.

By Alice Soper | 6th March, 2023