The New Zealand Rugby Union announced last week increased financial support for unions, with an additional $7.7 million - targeted at expanding community rugby - to be dished out over the next three years.
It will be .
The NZRU will also top up its payments to unions, based on registered players, from $45 a player to $50.
Otago has 7337 registered players this season, so that will give it an extra $36,000.
It is also being backdated to the first six months of this season which will bring in more money, just under $20,000, to the union.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said the additional money was yet to be finalised but any funding was gratefully received.
Kinley said there were always plenty of options regarding how money could be spent. Otago had 1.5 development officer positions, and that could be an area to target.
''I know the national union is doing a lot of work on this but we also really have to focus on the teenage player,'' he said.
''Obviously, that is an area that all sports are finding difficult. To retain is a challenge but then to also grow numbers is a major undertaking.
''I think we need to look at our secondary school programme. We need to look at what we are doing in supporting our co-ed rugby. The boys' schools seem to be working well but it is about what we can do for the likes of Kaikorai Valley College and Logan Park.
"We need to look at all schools in the region.''
Kinley said the ORFU had to watch its finances.
The union nearly went bust early last year but received a rescue package and eventually recorded a surplus for 2012.
The purse strings were still tight and that was unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
The big crowd - more than 18,000 - which attended the Ranfurly Shield defence against Hawkes Bay was an undoubted boost.
''That game against Hawkes Bay was fantastic but it all has to be looked at the bigger picture,'' Kinley said.
''Trust funding is down, so what we may have budgeted for that may not eventuate. The commercial market is still very tough. So, what we may have made from that game will make up for what we have not got in other areas.''
The additional funding would also help cover increased costs for provincial players, as minimum payments have increased under the new collective contract introduced this season.
The collective agreement also includes a reduction in the salary cap and greater compensation to unions for All Blacks who do not play for their province.
