Dreams of representing New Zealand Sevens on the Olympic stage are a step closer for three Bay of Plenty women after they gained national contracts for the 2015 season.

Morgan Morrow, Kelly Brazier and Alexis Tapsell have all been included in the 19-strong New Zealand Women's Sevens squad to contest the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series.

Bay of Plenty's Morgan Morrow with ball in hand during a training session at Blake Park late last year. Photo: Luke Balvert.

For Morrow it indicates a rapid rise after she entered the fold late last year as part of the squad for the Dubai-leg of the World Series. Former Kiwi Fern Charlotte Scanlan (Auckland) is the other player to receive her first contract.

Brazier and Tapsell, both recent acquisitions to the Bay of Plenty, have been on the Sevens circuit in the past, with Brazier also having 25 Black Fern test caps next to her name.

Women's coach Sean Horan says last weekend's National Sevens tournament has been the perfect platform for not only finalising their selections, but to form the crucial backbone of his Olympic hopefuls.

'The game is definitely progressing,” says Sean, 'and it really excites me how far things have gone. There seems to be a real competitive edge out there, and the 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.”

Also making a welcome return is double international and 2013 World Cup Kiwi Fern skipper Honey Hireme, after a break in 2014.

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.

'In selecting this year's squad, we've stuck with the tried and true and we've rewarded players who have clearly worked hard,” explains Sean.

'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 and 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.”

Commenting on Morrow and Scanlan, the two new payers in the squad, Horan says being able to take the pair to Dubai showed they could handle the pressures of a live international tournament.

'Obviously they've proven they can step up and have a great attitude about their work,” he adds.

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

All members of the New Zealand Women's Sevens Squad will assemble for a camp in Mount Maunganui this 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.

The contracted New Zealand Women's Sevens Squad for 2015:

Michaela Blyde - Taranaki

Kelly Brazier - Bay of Plenty

Gayle Broughton - Taranaki

Sarah Goss - Manawatu

Honey Hireme - Waikato

Carla Hohepa - Waikato

Huriana Manuel - Auckland (currently injured)

Kayla McAlister - Auckland

Morgan Morrow - Bay of Plenty

Tyla Nathan-Wong - Auckland

Charlotte Scanlan - Auckland

Shiray Tane - Waikato

Alexis Tapsell - Bay of Plenty

Hazel Tubic - Auckland

Ruby Tui - Canterbury

Jordon Webber - Waikato

Katarina Whata-Simpkins - Wellington

Selica Winiata - Manawatu

Portia Woodman - Auckland