New Zealand women's sevens coach Sean Horan has culled his Olympic hopefuls to 31 for a training and selection camp in Hamilton.

The players gather today, eager to impress for the final cut that will be made next week when Horan announces his initial team for tournaments this year that start with the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions event in Fiji later this month. 

It's the final stage in a nation-wide talent search for the latest Olympic sport that will debut ay Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

More than 1000 women - many of them rugby players but also others with skills from other sports - took part in the Go4Gold recruitment programme.

"The programme has been a great success and I am very excited about the talent we have identified," Horan said.

"With the prospect of playing international tournaments from this year, and the opportunity to be in the frame for the 2016 Olympics, we know that there are some very talented athletes, with the right attitude and discipline to help us achieve gold."

While he is about to name his initial squad, Horan says he intends to keep an open mind on the talent available to him.

"I'll be watching at regional tournaments around the country next month so there is every opportunity for women to demonstrate they've got what we're looking for," he said.

Final camp squad:

Auckland: Charlene Halapua, Charmaine McMenamin, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Kayla McAlister, Linda Itunu, Huriana Manuel, Tiana Ngawati.

Canterbury: Kendra Cocksedge, Ruby Tui, Hannah Brand.

Counties Manukau: Hazel Tubic, Marama Davis.

Hawke's Bay: Krysten Duffill.

Manawatu: Sarah Goss, Selica Winiata, Kristina Sue, Wairakau Greig.

Otago: Anika Tiplady, Victoria Nafatali.

Taranaki: Lauren Burgess, Gayle Broughton.

Tasman: Moana Forbes, Rebecca Kersten.

Waikato: Chyna Hohepa, Jordon Webber, Teresa Te Tamaki, Crystal Kaua, Azania Watene, Victoria Grant.

Wellington: Shakira Baker, Brigitte Tyler

- © Fairfax NZ News