Big futures start from small beginnings and, while the stature of our young players might be small, the number of passionate junior rugby players taking to the field is anything but.
Hawke's Bay Rugby Union commercial manager Jay Campbell said the numbers of junior players participating had continually grown since sponsors Unison Networks came on board in 2008, with more than 3400 children taking to the field last season.
"Unison's support of our programme has seen our player numbers grow year-on-year since partnering with the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union and that growth looks set to continue again this year," Campbell said.
"Together, we have worked hard to grow the game at grass-roots, developing a talent pool which ultimately supports our professional game. Last season we had a player in our Magpies squad that had come through the Unison junior rugby programme and that is something we are really proud of."
Weigh-ins, which began on Sunday, March 13, will go on until Sunday, April 10. Weigh-in dates, times and locations can be found online at: www.unison.co.nz/greatest-supporter
