Rugby: Surge in junior playing numbers for Taranaki

Will Johnston

Taranaki’s domestic championship title last year has had an influence on the increase of junior playing numbers with a surge in registrations.

The region’s interest in the game was clear at the sell-our national provincial championship final in October last year when Taranaki beat Hawke’s Bay in the final and during this year’s competition.  

That interest continued as Taranaki Rugby released its playing data from the 2024 season, which saw a colossal 206% increase in junior registered players in Taranaki from 496 to 1518. This was after the union saw 13% growth in players aged 0-12 last year.

Overall playing figures were up by only 15 as figures moved from 5446 to 5461 this season, after a 13% increase on the year before. The 0.28% growth in local numbers came after New Zealand Rugby saw a 6% increase nationally.

Teenage registrations were also up 13% overall, including females up 29% - after 27% boom last year – and boys grew by 9%.

Registrations for senior players are better than pre-Covid levels, with a 5% surge since 2019.

Junior club registered players remained steady on last year’s numbers with no change in boys.

Coaches also jumped up by 61% (198 to 318) and referees saw a 4% decrease, which backs up the growing trend around the country about the shortage of officials, where New Zealand had a fall of 3% overall.

Taranaki Rugby community operations lead Ben Hitchcock said he was pleased to see growth and a stable playing and volunteer base across various ages and grades but acknowledges they still have areas to focus on.

“Rugby holds a special place within the Taranaki region, and we’re committed to growing the game, ensuring it’s accessible to all in our province,” he said.  

“The TRFU has a committed community team who work alongside kura, clubs, organisations and groups around the maunga, building relationships to ensure we create memorable experiences for all,” he said.

“As a union we strive to ensure rugby is a vehicle to growth on and off the field.”

New Zealand Rugby general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster said rugby continues to rebound following the pandemic.

“It certainly hasn’t happened overnight, but we are seeing the results of participant-centred opportunities that are meeting the needs of our communities,” he said.

“These numbers also show an increase in diversity in our game, across ages, gender and ethnicity, which further affirms our efforts to ensure that rugby is a game for everyone.”