11/09/2007 allblacks.com
The New Zealand Rugby Union today announced a $25 million investment in community rugby from 2008 until 2011 as the organisation unveiled its new four-year Community Rugby Plan.
The new Plan, which follows on the success of the initial Plan from 2004 until 2007, outlines the NZRU’s commitment to the community game for 2008–2011. Today’s announcement brings the total investment in community rugby to $48 million over eight years.
NZRU Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said the Plan builds on a partnership with the 26 Provincial Unions with the goal of continuing to strengthen community rugby.
“It is important for us to have the full support and commitment from our Provincial Unions because they are ultimately the people who need to help implement and deliver the Plan, and are directly responsible for the welfare of their schools and clubs,” Tew said.
“A key initiative is for us to continue to improve the administration of rugby in our schools and clubs which will build on the success of the previous Plan.”
One of the successes of the previous Plan was the overall growth in player numbers by 13% during the period 2004 – 2007, despite a 4% drop in 2007.
As part of the new Plan, the NZRU will also set up a contestable fund of $300,000, which will increase to $500,000 by 2011. Provincial Unions can apply for financial support for initiatives unique to their region that will benefit the development of community rugby in their area.
NZRU Community Rugby Manager Brent Anderson said the new Plan continued the vision of the NZRU to ensure that rugby at the community level is healthy and strong.
“We want to get as many people as possible involved in rugby and make their experience enjoyable so they remain active in the game for a long time. Over the last four years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people involved in rugby, from players to coaches and referees, and other volunteers and administrators,” Anderson said.
The key focus areas of the new Plan are:
Small Blacks rugby for children under the age of 13
• Continue the Small Blacks Development model, a pathway for junior rugby from age 5 to 13. The model was developed to align the rules of the game with the children’s ability to perform in a safe and enjoyable manner.
• Make rippa rugby, the non-contact version of rugby for young children introduced in 2004, the game of choice at all New Zealand primary schools through providing rippa rugby units to all primary schools and promoting their rippa rugby tournaments.
• Provide a Small Blacks Positive Action Pack for the families and teams of Small Black players to educate them on their roles in Small Black rugby.
• Continue to produce relevant education units for teachers and pupils at primary schools, using rugby as a theme to make learning fun for children.
“It is important that rugby is fun and enjoyable for children and that we put the right structures in place to help them develop their skills in line with their physical ability,” Anderson said.
Teenage rugby for players in Under 14 – Under 20 age group
• Develop a School Enhancement Model in conjunction with Provincial Unions to help improve the standard of secondary schools rugby.
• Continue the Rugby Administrators in Schools programme which provides a part-time administrator to assist schools to organise and run their rugby programme.
• Produce a Secondary Schools Best Practice Manual that provides templates and examples of best practice for running a rugby club.
“Retaining players in this age group is critical for the future of club rugby. Adolescents face many decisions at this stage of their life and we have to ensure that rugby remains an attractive option for young men and women,” Anderson said.
Club development
• Develop a rugby specific Club Development Assessment Tool to help clubs highlight successful programmes and identify areas that need to be improved.
• Continue the Club Liaison Officer programme which provides a hands-on resource to clubs to help them improve their administration.
• Continue the Volunteer Support Programme to recognise and reward volunteers who support community rugby.
“Club rugby remains the foundation of the game in New Zealand and it is important that rugby remains relevant in the communities in which it operates,” Anderson said.
Rugby World Cup 2011
• Primary schools to organise and Provincial Unions to administer Rippa Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2011 to create interest in and awareness of the event. Winning teams, each representing a tournament participating nation, to play in a national final.
• Offer registered volunteers priority for Rugby World Cup volunteer positions.
Coaching
• Develop a competency based coach accreditation system to ensure that we have quality coaches at all levels of the game.
• Immediate and free access to quality resources through the launch of a website specifically for coaches.
• Aim for 100% attendance rates at RugbySmart courses. RugbySmart is a nationwide injury prevention programme for players, coaches and referees, developed jointly by the NZRU and ACC.
“There is a strong link between player development and the quality of coaching they receive hence it is important that we ensure our coaches have access to the resources required to improve their coaching,” Anderson said.
Refereeing
• Develop new national referee coach modules to improve the training and support available to referee coaches to help them improve the quality of referee development.
• Provide relevant resources for referees online.
“Just like we continue to develop our players and coaches, the same applies to referees and one of the focus areas of the Plan is to upskill our referee coaches so they can, in turn, provide quality coaching to our referees,” Anderson said.
Maori rugby
• Organise marae and iwi-based competitions in conjunction with local Maori Rugby Boards and Provincial Unions to provide opportunities for Maori players outside of traditional club rugby.
• Continue the three annual regional tournaments to provide an opportunity for players to represent their province.
“Maori rugby has a unique place in New Zealand rugby and we need to foster and grow Maori rugby at the community level,” Anderson said.
The new Plan, which follows on the success of the initial Plan from 2004 until 2007, outlines the NZRU’s commitment to the community game for 2008–2011. Today’s announcement brings the total investment in community rugby to $48 million over eight years.
NZRU Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said the Plan builds on a partnership with the 26 Provincial Unions with the goal of continuing to strengthen community rugby.
“It is important for us to have the full support and commitment from our Provincial Unions because they are ultimately the people who need to help implement and deliver the Plan, and are directly responsible for the welfare of their schools and clubs,” Tew said.
“A key initiative is for us to continue to improve the administration of rugby in our schools and clubs which will build on the success of the previous Plan.”
One of the successes of the previous Plan was the overall growth in player numbers by 13% during the period 2004 – 2007, despite a 4% drop in 2007.
As part of the new Plan, the NZRU will also set up a contestable fund of $300,000, which will increase to $500,000 by 2011. Provincial Unions can apply for financial support for initiatives unique to their region that will benefit the development of community rugby in their area.
NZRU Community Rugby Manager Brent Anderson said the new Plan continued the vision of the NZRU to ensure that rugby at the community level is healthy and strong.
“We want to get as many people as possible involved in rugby and make their experience enjoyable so they remain active in the game for a long time. Over the last four years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people involved in rugby, from players to coaches and referees, and other volunteers and administrators,” Anderson said.
The key focus areas of the new Plan are:
Small Blacks rugby for children under the age of 13
• Continue the Small Blacks Development model, a pathway for junior rugby from age 5 to 13. The model was developed to align the rules of the game with the children’s ability to perform in a safe and enjoyable manner.
• Make rippa rugby, the non-contact version of rugby for young children introduced in 2004, the game of choice at all New Zealand primary schools through providing rippa rugby units to all primary schools and promoting their rippa rugby tournaments.
• Provide a Small Blacks Positive Action Pack for the families and teams of Small Black players to educate them on their roles in Small Black rugby.
• Continue to produce relevant education units for teachers and pupils at primary schools, using rugby as a theme to make learning fun for children.
“It is important that rugby is fun and enjoyable for children and that we put the right structures in place to help them develop their skills in line with their physical ability,” Anderson said.
Teenage rugby for players in Under 14 – Under 20 age group
• Develop a School Enhancement Model in conjunction with Provincial Unions to help improve the standard of secondary schools rugby.
• Continue the Rugby Administrators in Schools programme which provides a part-time administrator to assist schools to organise and run their rugby programme.
• Produce a Secondary Schools Best Practice Manual that provides templates and examples of best practice for running a rugby club.
“Retaining players in this age group is critical for the future of club rugby. Adolescents face many decisions at this stage of their life and we have to ensure that rugby remains an attractive option for young men and women,” Anderson said.
Club development
• Develop a rugby specific Club Development Assessment Tool to help clubs highlight successful programmes and identify areas that need to be improved.
• Continue the Club Liaison Officer programme which provides a hands-on resource to clubs to help them improve their administration.
• Continue the Volunteer Support Programme to recognise and reward volunteers who support community rugby.
“Club rugby remains the foundation of the game in New Zealand and it is important that rugby remains relevant in the communities in which it operates,” Anderson said.
Rugby World Cup 2011
• Primary schools to organise and Provincial Unions to administer Rippa Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2011 to create interest in and awareness of the event. Winning teams, each representing a tournament participating nation, to play in a national final.
• Offer registered volunteers priority for Rugby World Cup volunteer positions.
Coaching
• Develop a competency based coach accreditation system to ensure that we have quality coaches at all levels of the game.
• Immediate and free access to quality resources through the launch of a website specifically for coaches.
• Aim for 100% attendance rates at RugbySmart courses. RugbySmart is a nationwide injury prevention programme for players, coaches and referees, developed jointly by the NZRU and ACC.
“There is a strong link between player development and the quality of coaching they receive hence it is important that we ensure our coaches have access to the resources required to improve their coaching,” Anderson said.
Refereeing
• Develop new national referee coach modules to improve the training and support available to referee coaches to help them improve the quality of referee development.
• Provide relevant resources for referees online.
“Just like we continue to develop our players and coaches, the same applies to referees and one of the focus areas of the Plan is to upskill our referee coaches so they can, in turn, provide quality coaching to our referees,” Anderson said.
Maori rugby
• Organise marae and iwi-based competitions in conjunction with local Maori Rugby Boards and Provincial Unions to provide opportunities for Maori players outside of traditional club rugby.
• Continue the three annual regional tournaments to provide an opportunity for players to represent their province.
“Maori rugby has a unique place in New Zealand rugby and we need to foster and grow Maori rugby at the community level,” Anderson said.
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