Why the Kiwis' curve is going upwards
Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:11
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced its player numbers for 2008, with a total of 140,279 players involved in the game this year. The latest figure represents a three percent increase on the 2007 number of 136,059.
One of the areas of significant growth is in the Under-13 age group where seven percent more children are playing rugby this year.
NZRU General Manager Community and Provincial Union Rugby, Brent Anderson, said the organisation was delighted with the rise in numbers, following a year in which rugby faced many challenges.
"This news is a big boost for the game. One of our 2008 priorities through the implementation of the Community Rugby Plan is to increase participation rates in all areas, and since our first Community Rugby Plan was introduced in 2004, we have recorded an overall increase of 16 percent in player numbers," Anderson said.
"The increase in player numbers suggests that people are still keen to play, coach, referee and administer rugby. The latest numbers are encouraging and we will continue to provide provincial unions with the necessary tools and assistance to further grow and develop the game," he added.
The 2008 increase follows on a four percent decrease in 2007 and Anderson said the provincial unions should be credited for the rise in numbers this year.
"We would like to thank the provincial unions for their efforts and their work with us to grow the game," Anderson said.
A total of 68,897 Small Blacks players under the age of 13 took to rugby fields this year compared to 64,342 in 2007.
"The Small Blacks programme remains popular and that is positive for us. We have put a lot of effort and resource into making rugby attractive to children and we are delighted that this work has paid dividends," Anderson said.
More coaches and referees are also involved in the game this year.
Thirteen percent more coaches are registered in 2008, representing a total of 10,287 compared to 9,122 in 2007. In addition, referee numbers are up by three percent from 2,333 in 2007 to 2,394 in 2008.
"It is heartening to know that coaches and referees still want to be involved in rugby. As player numbers rise, we will need more people filling these important roles and it is encouraging that numbers in these two crucial areas have increased," Anderson said.
While there has been a one percent decrease in the number of teenagers playing rugby, the interest remains high at a time when youngsters have a lot more options.
"Teenagers have a greater choice these days in terms of what they do in their spare time, and we recognise that. But provincial unions are thinking outside the square to keep these young players interested in the game.
"For example, Wanganui has introduced first XV rugby on week nights allowing schoolboy players to have a free Saturday to pursue other interests, which can include part-time work and other commitments. Several other unions are looking at innovative ways to make rugby accessible to all."
Anderson said while the increased numbers were encouraging, the challenges remained.
"The ongoing challenge for us is to ensure that rugby remains relevant to players, coaches, referees, administrators and other volunteers. The new four-year Community Rugby Plan is aimed at doing exactly that and we will continue to work closely with our provincial unions to make rugby the sport of choice for all New Zealanders," Anderson said.
