The squad is:

Double international and 2013 World Cup Kiwi Fern skipper Honey Hireme returns to the squad after a break in 2014.  Following their first tournaments away with the national team, another former Kiwi Fern Charlotte Scanlan (Auckland), and Bay of Plenty star Morgan Morrow, have both been given their first contracts.

Katarina Whata-Simpkins who was on a development contract last year, has also been given her first full contract.

An additional two new contracts are expected to be announced during 2015.

Coach Sean Horan said last weekend’s National Sevens tournament had been the perfect platform for finalising their selections for the 2015 squad to play out the rest of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens World Series and to form the crucial backbone of his Olympic hopefuls.

“The game is definitely progressing, it really excites me how far things have gone.  There seems to be a real competitive edge out there, and girls are working hard to compete for these precious contracts.

“It’s also clear that some provinces are really starting see the potential of sevens, and we’re seeing athletes coming through, particularly from rural areas, with good skillsets and professional standards keep improving,” Horan said.

“In selecting this year’s squad, we’ve stuck with the tried and true and we’ve rewarded players who have clearly worked hard.  We are very lucky in that these contracts allow the players to focus on their training, without the pressures of having to manage a job, study as well as training requirements.

“Congratulations to all the players who have been offered contracts. With Rio just around the corner, the dream is that much closer for some, and we know that this group will form the core of our New Zealand Women’s Sevens group as we head into the Olympics build up,” he said.

Commenting on the new players in the squad:  “Fortunately, we were able to take Charlotte and Morgan away with us to Dubai last year and that was a great environment to test them under the pressures of a live international tournament.

“Obviously they’ve proven they can step up and have a great attitude about their work.

“I am also delighted to have Honey come back into the family.  Her explosive power and strength will be a welcome weapon of attack back on the international circuit,” he said.

Huriana Manual who suffered a severe leg injury last year, has also been contracted and expected to return to play by April.”

Horan was excited about the return of Kayla McAlister who after an eight-month injury set back.

“She was in scintillating form at the National Sevens last weekend.  She was a clear standout which is why she was named the Women’s Player of the Tournament.  And while she was scoring all those tries, she’s not yet up to our match fitness, so it’s exciting to think she still has so much room to improve.”

All members of the New Zealand Women’s Sevens Squad will assemble for a camp in Mt Maunganui next week.  The team to travel to the second tournament on the World Series programme in Sao Paulo will be named on Thursday before the team flies out on Friday.

A media opportunity for media will be held on Thursday.  More details of the team’s camp schedule will be issued at a later time.