Is it time for an Amateur Rugby Union Association?

Is it time for an Amateur Rugby Union Association?

In 2016, it will be 125 years since the initial meeting to form the New Zealand Rugby Union occurred (in 1891) and 20 years since rugby first went professional in New Zealand (in 1996).

The inevitable monetisation of amateur values which has followed professionalism, ongoing changes to the social structure of local New Zealand communities and the greater proliferation of sporting choices at young ages, are just three of the factors which are challenges to the long-term stability and sustainability of the amateur game in New Zealand.

A strong amateur game is essential to support the semi-professional and elite arms of rugby. However, the factors which lead to a strong amateur game are not the same factors that are relevant to the success of the semi-professional and elite arms of the sport.

Three critical pillars which support the amateur game are: incentives (opportunities for personal development which are created by being part of the game); recognition (personal, non-financial benefits received by being involved in the game); and engagement (how to stay connected to the game in a way that aligns to a person’s goals and social interests).

An Amateur Rugby Union Association could add strength to these pillars (in full support of New Zealand Rugby’s objectives) by: identifying additional incentive pathways which will increase the retention rate of players in the game at the amateur level (resulting in more people playing the game); promoting the benefits of being involved in the game in a voluntary role (resulting in more people participating in the game); and developing the role of local clubs in building strong communities (resulting in more people promoting the game).

So what is the evidence in support of a new Association of rugby amateurs? The world is rapidly changing, often in unexpected ways. A recent UK study indicated that while the number of 16 to 25 year olds taking part in sport generally has remained flat in recent years, the rate of participation has declined.

Sport is perceived as becoming more serious and placing greater demands on young people's time, just as life gets more serious too. Young people are acutely aware of wasting their time on activities that don’t benefit them as an individual, don't reinforce their place within their social group, or don't help develop themselves. This is a challenge for all sports, including rugby.

In New Zealand, over the past 14 years, the number of secondary school students participating in sport (at all colleges) has increased by 17%. Over the same period, the number participating in Rugby Union has fallen by 6%. This trend in falling participation appears to be borne out by recent New Zealand Rugby data which recorded a year-on-year 0.5% decrease in all teenagers (those aged 13 to 20 years), playing rugby.

Of course, participation in amateur rugby is about more than just playing the game. Sport New Zealand regularly surveys 138 sport and recreation activities of New Zealanders. The survey considers activities undertaken by adults in spare time for fun, exercise, socially or competitively.

Rugby Union ranks at number 28 (3.6%), below soccer (6.3%), netball (5.7%), and basketball (4.6%). Of note, Rugby Union does not feature in the Top 20 List of sport and recreation activities of New Zealanders, whereas Soccer and Netball do.

In terms of sports club memberships, the proportion of adults (16+) has fallen by more than 2% over the past six years. Those aged 16 to 24 and 65+ are the age segments showing the largest fall in memberships (-4.2% and -7.2%) respectively. This is a disturbing trend – older supporters of clubs are no longer staying involved in club activities and fewer young people are taking their place. In terms of volunteers, those aged 25-34 have fallen by 3%. Incentives, recognition and engagement are critical to the ongoing health and growth of the game of amateur rugby in New Zealand communities.

Perhaps it is time to re-focus on rugby, for rugby’s sake.

To find out more, contact enquiries@arua.nz