Call goes out for more rugby coaches

The number of youngsters playing rugby is on the rise -- now the call is going out for more coaches to help them.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has launched a recruitment campaign to get people involved in coaching the growing number of players in New Zealand.

After a successful player sign-up campaign last year, the number of rugby players has jumped 7 per cent to more than 139,000.

This follows 7 per cent rise in 2004, following initiatives launched under the NZRU's community rugby plan.

However, the growth in the number of Small Blacks (under 13) players had been more marked, with a 10 per cent rise, from 58,200 to 64,100, NZRU community rugby manager Brent Anderson said says.

"We've got kids turning up to play and we need coaches to make sure those kids are in an environment where they can learn the skills of the game, have a lot of fun and enjoy their footy.

"That doesn't happen without coaches," he said.

Anderson said there were now 9900 registered rugby coaches and said it would be fantastic if several hundred more signed up.

The Grow Coaching campaign will see advertising run over the next three weeks as well as flyers handed out at all local Sport Super 14 matches.

Anderson said parents of rugby-playing children were still the most likely coaching candidates but he is keen to see a wider cross section of people coaching junior rugby teams.

"We've put in place some pretty comprehensive coaching courses that teach people how to coach and what they need to be coaching kids at various age levels, right the way through to the end of secondary school," he said.

- NZPA