A love letter to grassroots women’s rugby

Join us for a Q&A screening of NO TEARS ON THE FIELD and hear from award-winning filmmaker Lisa Burd (The Pinkies Are Back, 2021) and star players, Kate Thomson and Mereana Anderson. Moderated by Francesca Rudkin.

ABOUT THE FILM

NO TEARS ON THE FIELD is an inspiring story of family, community and sisterhood set against the backdrop of a season of grassroots club rugby in Taranaki. Filmed over two years, it follows two local teams and several individual players - including Sevens Superstar Michaela Brake, as they navigate ambition, community and personal challenges. Capturing the joy and camaraderie of the game, the film goes beyond the hits and triumphs on the field to reveal the emotional weight off the pitch - how their love of rugby intertwines with balancing work, whanau and the demands of rural life.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Lisa Burd - Director

Lisa has a keen interest in others and enjoys telling their stories. This curiosity has led to her spending over 20 years working in film production and creating self-funded, award-winning documentaries. As a director, Lisa has created four independent documentaries: CHANGING GEAR (2005), MONTEREY (2016), LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX (2018), THE PINKIES ARE BACK (2021), and her latest NO TEARS ON THE FIELD (2025).

Kate Thomson – Southern Rugby Club

Kate Thomson, a proud dairy farmer and Southern Rugby stalwart, left home at 17 to chase farm work and often found herself the only woman on the land. Now she’s aiming to become the first woman in Taranaki to reach 100 premier games, playing every match for her beloved Nana Sue and her late stepdad. Despite numerous sporting and farming injuries and dealing with the isolation of farm life, Kate remains one of the region’s toughest and most driven players.

Mereana Anderson – Clifton Rugby Club

Mereana Anderson, a Taranaki schoolteacher by day and a dominant force on the field by weekend, credits her success to her father, Theodore - her role model and biggest supporter. From helping raise her younger siblings to earning a spot at the first-ever Black Ferns scrum camp, Mereana represents the new wave of women in rugby: grounded, powerful, and driven by family pride.

Come support local storytelling and the players who power grassroots women’s rugby! Secure your seat by booking your tickets now.