Senior players embrace RipRugby on the shore

Wednesday nights in North Harbour were packed with RipRugby action, a non-contact rugby programme on offer for senior rugby participants as an alternate option to get involved in the game.

Facilitated by North Harbour Rugby Union, the six-week module started on May 24 with only two teams and grew to a total of six - four from club and two composite.

The purpose of the programme was to connect and reconnect participants to the club rugby system, offering them an experience to put on club colours in an easily accessible, safe environment, while being physically active.

North Harbour Rugby Union, Head of Rugby Engagement and Participation Bill Wigglesworth said the module aligns with their Participation Strategy, which focuses on providing choices within our game.  

“Giving people a different format of rugby will attract new participants and inspire our former rugby players to get back into the game,” Wigglesworth said.

“It provided our participants with relevant rugby skills – passing evasion, tracking to rip and open field kicking.

“It also encouraged social connections between clubs, participants, referees and supporters.”

East Coast Bays Rugby Football Club entered two teams into the competition one of which (the Bays Rabble) was led by committee member Rory Bowerman, a new fan of RipRugby.

“We initially entered one team but on the first Wednesday night everyone got excited and we needed to enter a second team," Bowerman said. 

“I was happy to chuck on the boots for a little run around, I had never played RipRugby before and a lot of us hadn’t either.

“There’s a mix of playing experience across both teams. Some play for seniors, reserves and U85s, we’ve got former premier players and guys like myself who’ve been out of the contact game for a while now."

The module provided other benefits for clubs as they were open for an extra business day. 

“Rugby clubs were able to make revenue by getting people into the place, otherwise it would sit there empty during the week,” Bowerman said.

“I’ve met a lot of guys at the club over the years but didn't have much to do with them until now, it’s cool to sit down and just connect at the club.”