- A record-breaking influx of women and girls increasingly engaging in rugby
- Heartland Unions celebrating an unprecedented surge in membership
- Participation among teenage boys experiencing an encouraging 5% rise
- Marked improvement in feedback from Sport New Zealand’s Voice of Participant Survey
In what can only be described as another successful year for community rugby, there has been an impressive six percent rise in overall registrations, culminating in a remarkable 155,568 players stepping onto the field this season.
This season witnessed a notable 15% surge in the participation of women and girls, with an astounding 33,757 players, marking a historic high for the sport.
Heartland Rugby Unions are in high spirits as they celebrate a seven percent increase in player numbers, now boasting a record-breaking 28,406 registered athletes in their combined history.
The spotlight on the participation of teenage boys has also yielded positive results—registering a steady growth since the pandemic—now featuring 29,153 young athletes lacing up their boots nationwide.
Steve Lancaster, General Manager of Community Rugby at NZR, credited the remarkable growth within the community game to the dedicated efforts of Provincial Unions throughout the country.
“Rugby continues to rebound post-Covid and I’d like to acknowledge the Provincial Unions for the work they are doing to deliver rugby in their communities,” he expressed.
“It certainly hasn’t happened overnight, but we are seeing the fruits of participant-centered opportunities that cater to the needs of our communities.”
“These numbers also demonstrate an increase in diversity within our game, across various ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds, reinforcing our commitment to making rugby accessible for everyone,” Lancaster noted.
With an unprecedented number of women and girls actively participating in rugby, Lancaster particularly underscored the success of the Girls Activator programmes that have been implemented nationwide over the past three years.
“With the support of Sport NZ, we have established 30 dedicated roles across the Provincial Unions aimed at enhancing the involvement of young girls in our sport. The Unions have the autonomy to customize these roles and programmes to best serve the needs of their communities, and the outcomes are evident,” Lancaster highlighted.
On a different note, the number of registered coaches has seen a commendable 10% increase, reaching a total of 10,154, while active referees have experienced a slight decline of three percent. “Referees play a crucial role in our game, and with rising player participation, it is essential to encourage more individuals to take up officiating, so we will actively invest in this area,” Lancaster affirmed.
Overall, participants are relishing their experiences in the sport, as indicated by the recent results from the Sport NZ Voice of Participants Survey, which reflect positive sentiments with some of the highest satisfaction ratings recorded since 2019.
Within the realm of club rugby, the satisfaction score has risen by three percent to 76%, surpassing the All Sports average by a notable 10% over the 2021-23 timeframe. The Net Promoter Score, which gauges participants’ likelihood to recommend the sport to others, has increased by six points, positioning it 20 points above the All Sports average. Meanwhile, the Value for Money score surged to an impressive 87%, marking a 13% increase over the All Sports benchmark.
Registration statistics
- 155,568 players, up 6% on 2023
- 10,154 coaches, up 10% on 2023
- 1,522 referees 3% down on 2023
- 33,757 registered women and girls players, an increase of 4,300 (15%)
- 4,200 more junior players in 2024
- 2,400 more teenage players in 2024
- 1,500 more senior players in 2024
**Interview with Steve Lancaster, General Manager of Community Rugby at NZR**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Steve. It’s been a fantastic year for community rugby, with record-breaking participation. What do you attribute this success to?
**Steve Lancaster:** Thanks for having me! The growth we’ve seen can be largely credited to the dedicated efforts of the Provincial Unions. They have been proactive in creating participant-centered opportunities that truly resonate with our communities. It’s been a collective effort over time, especially as we rebound from the impact of Covid-19.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the engagement of women and girls being particularly impressive. Can you elaborate on the initiatives driving this growth?
**Steve Lancaster:** Absolutely. The implementation of our Girls Activator programmes over the last three years has played a crucial role. We’ve established 30 dedicated roles across various Provincial Unions to focus on enhancing female participation. This has helped create a welcoming environment for women and girls, leading to a remarkable 15% increase in their participation this season.
**Interviewer:** That’s wonderful to hear. What about the participation rates among teenage boys? How are they faring?
**Steve Lancaster:** We’re seeing encouraging signs with a 5% rise among teenage boys. After facing challenges during the pandemic, it’s great to see this demographic getting back into the sport. With 29,153 young athletes now participating, it’s reassuring that they are lacing up their boots and re-engaging with rugby.
**Interviewer:** The growth in overall registrations is quite striking too, with 155,568 players this season. What does this indicate for the future of rugby in New Zealand?
**Steve Lancaster:** The six percent rise in overall registrations is certainly promising. It underscores a broader shift towards inclusivity and diversity within our sport. We are committed to making rugby accessible for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. The positive feedback we’ve received from Sport New Zealand’s Voice of Participant Survey is an encouraging indicator that we’re on the right path.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what does the future hold for community rugby as it continues to evolve?
**Steve Lancaster:** We have ambitious plans to continue fostering this growth. Our focus will remain on listening to our communities and adapting to their needs. By keeping our initiatives dynamic and inclusive, we hope to see even more people, especially women and young athletes, taking to the field in the coming years. We’re excited about what lies ahead!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Steve. It’s clear that community rugby is on an incredible trajectory, and we look forward to seeing how it develops.
**Steve Lancaster:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for rugby, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our story.
Coaches is also notable. Can you share more about the increase in registered coaches and how that impacts the community rugby landscape?
**Steve Lancaster:** Certainly! We’ve seen a commendable 10% increase in registered coaches, bringing the total to 10,154. This uptick is vital as coaches play a pivotal role in developing our players and ensuring they have a positive and enriching experience in rugby. The more trained and dedicated coaches we have, the better we can cater to the needs of our growing player base, ultimately strengthening the foundation of community rugby.
**Interviewer:** That’s very insightful. The recent Sport NZ Voice of Participants Survey showed impressive satisfaction ratings as well. What does this say about the current state of rugby?
**Steve Lancaster:** It speaks volumes! The fact that our satisfaction score in club rugby has risen to 76%—which is 10% higher than the All Sports average—is a positive indicator. Participants are enjoying their experiences in rugby, with a notable increase in our Net Promoter Score as well. People are not only satisfied but are also inclined to recommend rugby to others, which is fantastic for our growth as a sport.
**Interviewer:** With all this growth, are there any areas of concern that you’re looking to address, particularly in terms of referees?
**Steve Lancaster:** Yes, while we celebrate the growth in player registrations, we have noticed a slight decline of three percent in registered referees. Referees are integral to our game, and as our player numbers increase, we need to ensure there’s a corresponding growth in officiating as well. We’ll be actively investing in referee development to attract more individuals to this essential role.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s your vision for the future of community rugby in New Zealand?
**Steve Lancaster:** My vision is for rugby to continue evolving as a sport that embraces diversity across all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. We want to ensure it’s not just accessible but appealing to everyone in our communities. Building on the successes we’ve achieved this season, we intend to maintain the momentum, fostering a love for the game while addressing any challenges head-on. We have a bright future ahead, and we’re excited to see where it leads us!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Steve, and for sharing these insights. It sounds like community rugby is heading in a great direction!
**Steve Lancaster:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to discuss these developments, and we appreciate the support from everyone in the rugby community.
