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A record 670 players, representing 67 teams, are participating in the Mahu Touch Rugby junior competition at the Warkworth Showgrounds this season.
The competition, for Years 1 to 10, is being coordinated by Alexa McDonald and Sara Cavanagh.
McDonald puts the rise in player numbers – up by nearly a 100 on 2020 – down to the increasing number of families moving to the area and good promotion of the competition in schools.
“We’re looking at introducing play for Years 10 to 13 next year, but will probably have to play over two days, as we are limited at the moment by the number of fields available,” she says.
Play in the first two grades is about participation, with prizes for first, second and third in the higher grades.
The teams are made up of a mix of boys and girls. There are 10 in a team, with six players on the field at any one time, of which two must be girls. McDonald says attracting girls has been an issue in the past.
She says referees, who are recruited through the high school, have been doing a good job.
“This is the first season Sara and I have coordinated the competition. It’s been very busy and a bit chaotic at times, but so far everything has gone well.”
The teams are put together by parents who also arrange sponsorship for uniforms. McDonald says players can sign up individually and will be allocated to a team. Some teams are school based, but other are mixed school teams.
The 14-week season will wind up early next year.
McDonald thanked major sponsors Ryco Hydraulics and the Bridgehouse for their continued support.
