NSW Schoolboys prepare to pack down

by Jim Webster –

New figures show that the number of rugby players in Australia continues to grow. Indeed, the fourth consecutive year of growth sees player numbers surpass 300,000 for the very first time, with a total of 323,115 players in 2012.

That’s a lot of excited, sweaty individuals running, tackling, mauling, jumping and kicking on suburban ovals and makes for a lot of work for the mums who have to wash all those dirty jerseys, shorts and socks when the game finishes.

Still those numbers will put an especially large smile on the faces of rugby administrators and followers generally, who may have suspected that rugby numbers might be depressed by the continued emergence of the AFL and football.

But that simply has not happened.

People are wanting to enjoy rugby in growing numbers.

The number of youngsters playing the game – the tiny tots and teenagers who will eventually feed through to the senior ranks – continues to have a big impact, with national junior numbers increasing for the sixth consecutive year, breaking 50,000 for the first time.

It seems that rugby sevens has also captured many new followers. The continuing speed and excitement sees them rolling up in droves to play this abbreviated form of the game.

Sevens enjoyed a 150% growth from 2011, further cementing its place as one of the fastest growing sports in Australia.

What is especially interesting in these national figures is just where all these rugby players come from.

There was a time when NSW was easily the dominant state, with Queensland the second source of rugby players, but not in the hunt overall with its southern neighbour.

Not any more!

NSW is home to 37.43% of all the players; but Queensland is now hot on their heels with 37.29%. The other states boast only single figure percentages.

That’s simply a reflection of the performance in recent years of the Queensland Reds. Nothing draws more people, both on and off the field, than does success.

By the same token, NSW has much to be pleased about given the game’s growth here, with participation in this State hitting an all-time high of 114,350.

Nick Farr-Jones, chairman of the NSW Rugby Union, said: “our role is to provide the safe and enjoyable participation in all aspects of our game and at all levels.

“From mums and dads to golden oldies, and juniors to match officials, the figures show that we continue to move in the right direction when it comes to promoting the values and opportunities for everyone.”

This is the fourth year running that NSW has recorded growth in participation, with the 12.4% increase on 2011 levels exceeding the target levels set out in the NSWRU Strategic Plan.

What was most encouraging in this State was the spread of the growth, with juniors (up 3.3%), seniors (up 3.8%), schools (up 18.2%) and sevens (up an astronomical 122.6%), all showing growth against the 2011 figures. The only numbers that were down were those for women (-3.1%) and Golden Oldies (-7.3%).