Junior rugby will be getting a boost from milk under a new fundraising project by the North Otago Rugby Football Union.
Money raised through the union's Livestock Club, to which farmers pledge sheep, cattle and grain, has been helping the union since 2009, first with its tour to Japan and then with junior rugby.
With the growing number of dairy farms in North Otago, the union has now added milk. In December it has been contacting dairy farmers to ask if they will give 150kg of milkfat - worth about $1200 at today's dairy prices - to the club.
The union raises about $250,000 a year from sponsorship by businesses, donations, grants and trusts.
The Livestock Club was an opportunity for rural people to contribute to North Otago rugby, union chief executive Colin Jackson said.
About $25,000 to $30,000 a year comes from the club and this is expected to rise, about 25 dairy farmers having already signed up to the milk scheme.
Those in the Livestock Club are hosted by the union at a game. This year, it was the Highlanders v Crusaders pre-season match in Oamaru and next season it will be a Heartland game.
In addition, they get three entrance tickets, three corporate tickets, drink vouchers, a polo shirt and cap.
Mr Jackson said the money from the club helped fund grassroots rugby in primary and secondary schools in North Otago, including employing two junior rugby staff, Jason Forrest and Leni Masoe. Other overseas players also help.
A priority this coming year was to strengthen girls' rugby, with the aim of having a women's senior team in the Dunedin club competition by 2015, he said.
About one-third of registered junior players were girls, which was partly the result of coaching at St Kevin's College and Waitaki Girls' High School.
This coming year the union was also planning to have an employee dedicated to fundraising, including co-ordinating the Livestock Club and liaising with sponsors.
