MidCentral Rugby League general manager Kelly Mackay says that ultimately the growth of "backyard league" could lead to the establishment of clubs in the likes of Taihape, Waverley etc.
But that's in the future.
Mackay said the establishment of the national competitions two/three years ago, especially the age-group ones, gave young players a pathway towards NRL chances without them having to leave their home towns.
He came to the MidCentral league managership from another position in Taupo, and said four young Taupo players have been placed with NRL clubs in the past two years - without them having to go to Auckland to seek stronger clubs.
"What the national competition does for U15 and U17 players is that it brings NRL scouts, or their representatives, to the games. So it gives the opportunity for a kid from Wanganui, for example, to go further," Mackay said.
"Three or four years ago, if a kid from the Wanganui district wanted to make it into the NRL, they basically had to up house and move to Sydney or Auckland if they wanted to make it any further.
"As a zone (MidCentral), in the past we played games in Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North or New Plymouth, but this year we made the decision to bring a game here (Wanganui) to help stimulate growth," Mackay said.
"It's going to take time. Getting rugby league right in this district is not an overnight job."
Mackay talks about a three-year national plan - one, to establish the game; two, to grow it; three, to keep it going.
Backyard league is a junior level concept, where the local youngsters get together in one spot, where they are taught fundamental skills and rules.
Then the kids themselves get to choose the rules they play under - to kick or not to kick for example - and they have a fun game at the end of the day under these rules. This is for the 5-12 age-group.
The Central Vipers NPC match against the Counties-Manukau Stingrays will be televised live on Monday night, on Sky Sport 2.