Ackland (55), the former Junior Warriors coach, was in Dunedin yesterday in his new role as New Zealand Rugby League national game development manager.
Ackland has been in the job for only 10 days so is keen to get to know every part of the game in New Zealand.
''This is a chance to get around the country and have a look at the landscape. I have never been down here before so I wanted to get down here and meet some of the people involved,'' he said.
''We have to be practical in the way we want to grow the game. And growing the game does not just mean getting more players. It is the whole infrastructure of the game. From coaches, to players, to referees, the canteen ladies. They are all a part of the game.''
Ackland said it was important to get the entry point for players right. That might be through a school instead of a club and not necessarily playing on a Saturday.
He said league was a great game to play. Playing numbers were looking healthy at about 40,000 across the country and had doubled in the past four years.
''I know down here it is a bit of a rugby and cricket type of place ... and rugby does not have to feel threatened by rugby league. But it [league] is a great game. If you want to run and tackle, then this is the game for you and gives you plenty of chances. It's kept me going for the past 50 years.''
Ackland, who has also played first-class cricket for Auckland, was involved with the Warriors for nine years before resigning midway through this year, and played a big role in successful Junior Warriors title-winning sides.
He had also previously been a scout for the Canterbury Bulldogs and signed Sonny Bill Williams up to the club when Williams was just a youngster in Auckland.
''Did I think he was going to be what he has turned out like? To be fair, I would have to say no. But you don't know how things are going to be.
''I knew him when he was 8 and 9 and one thing about him then that he still has today, that struck me about him, was how much he loves the game. How much he loves playing and how hard he competes.
''He used to play at primary school and he would go away to tournaments and you would have three grades - midgets, juniors and seniors. He would be in the midgets but he would play in the other grades, too.''
He had seen many players as athletically gifted as Williams but to succeed, they had to have the same will to win and competitiveness as the big second-rower. That was more important than having the physical ability.
Ackland said the Kiwis were going well in the World Cup but would face a hard game in the semifinal against England this weekend.
''You look at the way they are playing and they are defending well, which is always a good sign. That shows things are right in the camp. I think the game this week against the English is going to be harder than it should be.
''I suspect the Poms will be putting everything into it and it will be very, very hard for the Kiwis.''
Australia traditionally struggled outside Australia in tournament play and had some distractions already.
The Kiwis retaining the World Cup would be a boost for the game in this country, he said.
