Rippa rugby competition lures 500 kids
About 500 children are turning out at the hub in Hā wera on Thursdays for a new rippa rugby tournament.
The new tournament, for children from years 1 to 8, runs for six weeks from February 23.
There are 49 mixed teams from 11 schools competing, some with multiple teams, Southern Rugby Club junior rugby convener Terrence Dunn said.
‘‘There were no oval ball sports for kids in term 1, rugby starts in term 2 and there is touch in term 4, but term 1 was empty,’’ he said.
‘‘We kind of felt something was missing there, so we have designed this whole thing to be about participation and fun, and it’s been really well received, we are stoked.’’
‘‘There has to be a minimum of two girls on the field, which is good, to try and get more of them involved,’’ Dunn said.
‘‘Across junior rugby it’s the girls’ game that is growing now with the exposure for the professional women’s game, so it’s good to have more girls getting involved.’’
Each team was asked to supply a referee, and some of the club’s senior players were also helping to referee the older children’s games.
The tournament was a good way for children to have give rippa rugby a go and see if they enjoyed the game, he said.
‘‘Ultimately, the best-case scenario is for us to get more players out of it but, even if we don’t, it’s a very cool thing to see 500-odd kids running around having fun with their friends.’’
‘‘Ultimately, the best-case scenario is for us to get more players out of it but, even if we don’t, it’s a very cool thing to see 500-odd kids running around having fun with their friends.’’ Terrence Dunn Southern Rugby Club junior rugby convener