D'Arcy Waldegrave: Counties is looking after the grassroots

Sport is joy.   

In the newspaper life’s tragedies are on the front page, the triumphs on the back.   

Sport comes with its share of grief and drama, it certainly isn’t exempt from the drivers of regular news, by and large though, it’s a place of celebration.   

The best story of the week has come from the heart and soul of New Zealand sport - grassroots rugby. And rugby needs it. It’s a sport that has attracted plenty of ire from the media and the public over the years as it slowly loses its grip on being the dominant sport here.  

Player numbers are lagging, there’s a disconnect between the union and the unions, it’s sinking in a financial mire, there’s increasing concern around the safety of the sport, an ever-present debate around the lawbook and the miserable sight of empty super stadiums motu wide. It's not in the best shape.  

Now this.   

It’s small. It’s hardly headline news. It won’t be picked up on by international media but it is significant and uplifting.   

Based on the success Manurewa club rugby have had, Counties Manukau has launched a wonderful scheme.   

They’re removing junior rugby fees.   

11 of their 17 clubs have signed up for the initiative which is being essentially underwritten by the Silver Lake money picked up by Counties.  

Manurewa's explosion of numbers over the last 3 years point to this as a way forward for the code, from 187 juniors to 438. Plenty of unions should now be keeping a close eye on this.    

Counties is making change where it is most keenly felt, the back pocket.   

Counties is looking after the families during a cost of living calamity.  

Counties is looking after the grassroots.  

Water the dirt, flowers last for you.  

That’ll do. 

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