New Zealand Rugby has announced a review into secondary school rugby as they battle with dwindling participation numbers at college level.
Kelston Josefa Kolinisau looks to offload as he's tackled during a match against St Kentigern. Kelston Boys High School v St Kentigern, Auckland Rugby First XV 1A Competition, 2017. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
The number of secondary school players has been on the slide for the past five years, with 27,000 playing in 2017, down from the 31,000 playing in 2012.
New Zealand Rugby's Head of Participation and Development Steve Lancaster said keeping teenagers in the game is becoming increasingly difficult.
"Retaining teenagers is a challenge for us and there is work to be done by everyone in the rugby community to ensure they are provided with open, inclusive and fun environments and formats of the game that are relevant to them."
An independent team made up of representatives from across the sport will carry out the review process which involves consultation with schools, rugby clubs and Provincial Unions.
The union is seeking public submissions, with the review findings to be released by the end of the year.
Lancaster said a key driver of the review was to ensure that there was a successful model for secondary school rugby throughout New Zealand in which boys and girls can both participate and perform.
NZR believes such a model would ensure the strength of New Zealand game at the top level and help increase secondary school player numbers, as more and more students pursue other sports such as basketball, football, rugby league and action sports.
New Zealand rugby concedes keeping teenagers in the sport is a challenge as seen by falling numbers in this graph from the 2017 census. Photo: Supplied
"Performance rugby is an increasingly important area of secondary school sport in New Zealand and we are producing fantastic rugby players through our school system. Finding a healthy balance in this environment is important and a growing challenge.
"Of equal importance is the participation side of school rugby and how we can provide teenagers with enjoyable experiences that will carry long after their school years."
Lancaster said the review was timely given the significant growth in women's and girl's rugby and the need to ensure secondary schools rugby was equipped to manage and enhance this growth.
"Many of the challenges and opportunities we see in secondary school rugby aren't unique to the boys' side of the game, however, there's a need to ensure there are sustainable competitions and pathways in place for girl's rugby in schools.
"The review will also look at how the completed 2017 Respect and Responsibility Review can be implemented in secondary school rugby to ensure we are building a culture on the foundation of respect and inclusion."
-RNZ
