Playing touch from the age of 13 with her Aunt Julieanna Westrupp (Julz), planted the seed for further participation and growth within the sport of touch. She has competed in various prominent events to date, and for Rima this is just the beginning.
Rima was first introduced to touch rugby by her Aunty Julz who is currently the president for Cook Islands touch. Although she didn’t play as much through her college and tertiary days, she has made up for it in the last few years having competed internationally and in the local touch competitions.
Rima decided that she wanted to take it to the international stage when she saw an opportunity to trial for the Cook Islands team traveling to the 2019 South Pacific games. Julz was also trialing for the team, and they both made it. This was a highlight for Rima in the sport of touch, to not only compete at an international level but to compete and play along her side her aunt. Their last game for the event saw the Cook Islands team playoff for bronze. Although they did not bring home the bronze, representing her country and playing alongside her aunt was a great experience for Rima.
The year after the SPG was the Cook Islands Games where Rima represented the island of Mauke in the sport of touch rugby, rugby 9s and rugby 7s. She never saw herself playing a contact sport, but with close friends and family playing the sport Rima decided to give it a go and now this has encouraged Rima to continue playing contact rugby for the Tupapa panthers.
At the Cook Islands Games in 2020 her Touch team managed to snatch a gold medal which was a contributing factor to Mauke taking it out on the medal tally. This year’s Cook Islands games Rima will not be representing Mauke again but representing the island of Mitiaro, which is due to Rima’s training, playing, and the bond that she’s built with her Nukz power touch team in this year’s touch season.
Not only is Rima a touch rugby player, but she is also on the executive board for touch as secretary. She is involved with organising the draws for the season and helping wherever she is needed for the continuation and development of the sport. One of the challenges Rima faces with her work, sports, touch, and personal life is finding free time for herself. She enjoys the busy life and with her love and passion for touch, she is dedicated to the growth and success of the sport.
