KEY POINTS:
Mergers between some Auckland rugby clubs appear to be progressing well ahead of next year's revamped competition.
At the clubs' instigation, the Auckland competition will next year feature just one division in the premier, senior reserves, under-21s and under-19s grades. There will be no second division.
As a result some clubs are merging. Te Papapa Onehunga is joining forces with Mt Wellington, Mt Roskill is merging with Eden and Teachers Eastern are investigating linking with Tamaki. Outside those four grades the clubs will remain separate.
Auckland Rugby Union's club liaison officer, John Gillies, said the move to eliminate second divisions came after the clubs said they felt there had been a drop off in interest in club rugby since the game had gone professional.
To compete in the new competition clubs have to apply by September 30. They have to meet a list of criteria which includes being able to field five adult teams, eight junior teams and have 400 registered players. They also need to show they have the necessary club facilities.
This year there were 20 clubs who participated in the four grades. That number could be reduced to 16 if that is what the clubs want.
Gillies said if clubs don't want to merge and don't meet the criteria they can stay out of the revamped competition and Auckland Rugby will create another adult competition.
"Initially some [clubs] did express some concern especially those who thought themselves to be at risk. But we have helped them with the management of it. To be honest I don't think there is any club at the moment who would feel like they are totally disenfranchised."
Another initiative is that all four teams - premiers, seniors, under-21s and under-19s - will play at the same location each weekend in an effort to rally support.
Although club rugby numbers were slightly down this year Gillies said that club rugby still remained important for top players.
They would probably be noticed at school but they would still want to go into a premier club competition.
