OPINION
Last week, New Zealand Rugby released its participation numbers for the 2023 season. It hadn’t managed to hit the 40 per cent projection it had headlined back in March for women and girls in the game. However, a healthy 20 per cent increase on last year was reported. It was this boost that helped to soften the overall decline in New Zealand’s playing numbers but getting right into the weeds, may yet identify where our true growth lies.
The increase from last season tells a story of success but also of lopsided recovery. We are still yet to bounce back fully to the heights of our pre-Covid numbers. Club spaces, both at the senior and junior level are up on 2019 measures. However, schools are where the girls are struggling to find their footy. Both areas had been experiencing year-on-year success prior to Covid but now yo-yo between growth and contraction.
This likely reflects a change in tack from New Zealand Rugby. It has moved away from engaging young players in one-off tournaments and festivals, favouring a more structured season. With the junior club registrations now picking up around the same number as primary schools used to, our littlest sisters seem well served. However, in the secondary school space we aren’t getting a passing grade.
Here, we are still 20 per cent off our pre-Covid figures. This is a worry as high school is perhaps the most competitive moment in a young athlete’s life as this talent has many options. Some will be helping to boost the senior women’s club numbers, like the more than five teenagers I coached this year after they received dispensation. Many though will be lost to other opportunities.