Otago university Rugby Football Club rugby development officer Aaron Withy, of Dunedin, said he planned the club’s inaugural livestock drive fundraiser.
The club wants farmers to pledge the sale proceeds of livestock to the club.
He was using the slogan "pledge a beast" to advertise the drive but proceeds from the sale of any animal, such as a lamb, calf, dry cow or deer would be gratefully accepted, he said.
Farmers pledge an animal for donation, raise it as normal on their farm and when it was sold, donate the proceeds directly to the club.
"There’s no GST involved and any donation can be claimed for tax purposes."
A pledge was a way to support the community, "one animal at a time", he said.
On a pledge form, farmers could list their animal and nominate a club initiative for the money to help fund.
The initiatives farmers could select were a high performance programme, a concussion recovery pathway, a hardship fund or for general club support, such as buying training kits for players.
Money from the hardship fund recently helped a player who shattered his ankle during a game return home for surgery.
Another club initiative option was a new "life outside rugby" programme, which connect club members with initiatives to help them transition to life after their playing careers.
A livestock drive was more common in rural areas rather than urban areas, he said.
"It’s a bit of a funny one for a metro club, especially a university club."
He was born and raised on a dairy farm in Dipton, Southland.
Livestock drives were a common way to engage a rural community, he said.
A spike in club members from rural southern communities spurred the fundraising initiative.
"It is a great time to do this initiative to help fundraise for our support systems."
The club was founded on 1884 and had produced more All Blacks than any other club in New Zealand.
Former All Blacks include Michael Brewer, Jamie Joseph, David Kirk, Josh Kronfeld, Anton Oliver and John Timu.
Black Ferns to play for the club include Helen Littleworth, Farah Palmer and Amy du Plessis.
The fundraiser runs until April next year.
About six farming families, from four dairy farms in Southland and two sheep and beef farms in Otago, had shown interest in pledging an animal, he said.
