Rangiora High School student and rugby player Grace Tooley was named the winner of the 2026 Innovation Award at the Canterbury GirlBoss Awards, recognised for creating a solution to a problem she knows all too well.

For Grace, the idea for Mana Malosi started on the rugby field.

As co-captain of Rangiora High School’s Girls’ 1st XV, she had seen first-hand how periods could affect girls’ confidence and participation in sport. Worrying about discomfort or embarrassment can be enough to distract from the game, or in some cases, keep girls off the field altogether.

Rather than accept that as something girls simply had to put up with, Grace decided to do something about it.

She created Mana Malosi, a business developing period-safe rugby shorts designed to give female athletes greater confidence to play, regardless of where they are in their cycle.

That idea has earned Grace the 2026 Enable sponsored Innovation Award at the Canterbury GirlBoss Awards.

The annual awards, celebrate young women across Canterbury who are using their ideas, talents and determination to make a difference. This year, 139 young women were nominated across seven award categories.

From a problem to a solution

Grace's approach to innovation is refreshingly practical: identify something that isn't working, then find a way to make it better.

Her experience as an athlete gave her a clear understanding of the problem she wanted to solve.

“As a rugby player, I recognised that periods can be a major source of anxiety for girls in sport, affecting confidence, participation, and performance.”

Mana Malosi is her response to that challenge.

But for Grace, the idea goes beyond creating a piece of sportswear. She’s challenging the barriers that can prevent girls from fully participating in sport and starting a conversation about women’s health.

“I want younger girls to see that they can be leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and changemakers too,” she says.

It's a mindset that stood out to the judging panel and is exactly the kind of thinking the Innovation Award was created to recognise.

Why Enable supports young innovators

At Enable, we see innovation as more than technology. It's about looking at the way things are done, spotting an opportunity to do something differently and having the confidence to turn an idea into action.

We're proud to support the Canterbury GirlBoss Awards and celebrate the young women who are challenging the status quo and turning their ideas into something real.

Photo: Enable staff celebrating with Grace Tooley after winning the Innovation Award.

Follow Grace's journey

If you'd like to keep up with Grace and Mana Malosi as the business grows, you can follow along here: