Young players given a chance

Seeing youngsters wander off the street to see what is going on at Otaika Sports Ground was an encouraging sight for Whangarei Junior Rugby League chairman Murray Smart.
He believes rugby league can be used as a vehicle to keep children off the streets and out of trouble.
The opening round of the Whangarei City and Districts Junior Schoolboys Rugby League Competition was held on Sunday at Otaika and saw the five city clubs - Takahiwai, City, Portland, Marist and Hikurangi - enter teams in the Under-9 grade right through to the Under-15s.
"A few guys turned up on Sunday and they all got a game - they were not with any club or anything ... Playing league is a good thing for our society, a lot of the guys who want to play league are at risk of getting into trouble but by playing league, it tires these young guys out for the week and away from trouble ... they are too tired to make mischief.
"Playing at Otaika is good as there are no other distractions - it's play footy or do nothing," Smart said.
Numbers have improved across the grades from last year, but like any sport these days, those numbers will start to drop off unless parents and supporters of the game give a little bit back to the sport.
"The kids are there, keen to play - the hardest part is getting adults to coach and volunteers to help out on a Sunday. When we have people to help out we keep the children coming along and enthusiastic about playing," he said.
Games will be held at Otaika every Sunday until the end of July and if any school-aged children are interested or adults available to help, they should head along to the park and talk to an official.
The Under-17s competition will start on May 8.