Check the 2010 NTCC qualifiers list and you will find ten women in this years national competition at the Ellerslie Convention Center in Auckland on Friday and Saturday 12-13 November. See NZAA link.
Surely this is an unprecedented number?We can thank the influence of high profile NZ women tree climbers like Chrissy Spence, Nicky Ward-Allen and Elena O'Neill along with the work completed this year by Marlies Laser as National TCC co-ordinator (and past TCC champ).
The Australian women tree climbers Kiah Martin and Jess Knott have also raised the awareness of women in trees - in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Both Kiah and Jess are wildcard entries on the NTCC qualifiers list for 2010. Jess recently won the woman's division of the Victorian TCC, possibly the most challenging TCC in Australia outside of the Nationals.
Get along to Ellerslie next weekend to see some of the best women tree climbers in the world compete (along with the men)!
2010 VTCC champ, Jess Knott talking with Wellington's Kevin Squire at the 2010 Asia-Pacific Regional TCC in March, Western Park, Freemans Bay, Auckland.