Older rugby spectators will be more than happy with the North Otago Rugby Football Union's decision to revise the premier draw for the rest of the season.
The initial draw for the second and third rounds of Citizens Shield rugby featured an absence of premier games from the main oval from May 23 to June 27, a period covering six rounds of games.
How such a document was allowed through the club council makes one wonder whether concern for clubs by some council members has blinkered their view of North Otago rugby, which, after all, includes not only clubs but groups like spectators, who have an important role to play.
As it is, spectators will still have to wait until June 13 before the next game on the main ground.
North Otago rugby is fortunate to have strong financial sponsorship, so there are no gate charges at Whitestone Contracting Stadium until the Heartland Championship begins in late August.
Attendance at Saturday afternoon rugby is often a habitual thing, and for many of our ageing supporters, there will be a sigh of relief that, in the middle of winter, there will be four premier games they can attend in reasonably comfortable circumstances before the semifinals and finals.
Club council members had only to attend the Athletic Marist v Maheno game last Saturday to appreciate the importance of the main ground.
The few spectators who were there were enthusiastic but the wind chill factor was severe.
This week, Excelsior plays Kurow on the No 2 ground, Valley meets Athletic Marist at Weston, and Maheno hosts Old Boys.
All games start at 2.45pm.
- Terry O'Neill
