Rugby: NRU to give away passes

The crowds at the Taniwha's ITM Cup games at Toll Stadium should be larger this season with the Northland Rugby Union giving away 4000 tickets for the games to young rugby players and their coaches. Photo / File

Northland's ITM Cup home games should have larger crowds than normal this season with the Northland Rugby Union giving away more than 4000 free tickets to young rugby players and coaches.

The NRU initiative is expected to increase the level of support and noise at Toll Stadium when the season's five home games kick off against Southland on August 22.

The rugby union is giving a free pass for one match to players who play from nursery grade up to the 1st XV level (U18 Grade). Along with the thousands of players who will get free entry to any one of the five Taniwha home games, over 500 registered coaches will also have the same opportunity, NRU chief executive officer Jeremy Parkinson said.

Parkinson sees the initiative as a way of installing a dream of representing Northland for the youngsters, and thanking the volunteer coaches.

"ITM Cup rugby is the first step in a career path to professional rugby and exposing all of our young players to this shows that there is opportunity and a pathway through the Northland province," he said.

"We also want our players to stay in the game and chase the dream of representing the Taniwha in what we believe is the premier domestic competition in world rugby."

Parkinson said while the emphasis was often on players, he didn't want coaches to be forgotten with this season's gesture.

"The free pass is also a thank you to 500 plus coaches who volunteer their time to coach our game, as without coaches involved the game would not happen and it is important to reward them for their sacrifices made during the season ..." This season Northland has five home fixtures against Southland, Taranaki, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty, and Otago. The Taniwha's ITM Cup season kicks off with a Ranfurly Shield clash on August 16 against Hawkes Bay.