In the early 1950s, primary school-age players were introduced in North Otago to Junior Advisory Board rugby in order to cater for the growing number of boys of that age wanting to play organised rugby.
Initially, local clubs provided coaching enthusiasts and, from there, a general competition evolved based on age groups.
The next step was to have representative teams from the various unions around the South Island.
They had tournaments for the various levels.
The age-group system was later changed to a system based on weight.
The local JAB soon had North Otago union representation.
It is noticeable that the push for such a development came from the grassroots not the national body.
Now, the representative system which has promoted age-group rugby for nearly 70 years is being blamed as the cause of the plunging playing numbers at primary school and secondary school level.
The thinking is, by creating a more inclusive pathway it will encourage more young players to enter the game.
Young players entering rugby initially just want to play the game.
Surely, the powers that be should be encouraging that enthusiasm to play the game and, as that challenge is accepted, then gradually introduce the basics of the game through representative games.
North Otago has 42 teams playing junior rugby every week, which is a healthy number.
North Harbour, the union which led the change, stated that it did not see much benefit in representative under-14 teams and below and it actually could be the cause which was pushing players to give the game away.
New Zealand Rugby apparently sees little benefit in junior age-group teams while many sides seemed to fail to find meaningful games to play in.
Apparently, it is also society that is pushing for change.
Perhaps that is so, but maybe the real issue around plunging numbers is the absence of coaches and managers for all teams.
Some of the reasons put forward appear to be somewhat shallow and there are numerous reasons for the decline in playing numbers.
In North Otago club rugby this week, competition leader Valley was due to take on Kurow in Kurow last night.
Tomorrow, Maheno hosts Excelsior at 2.30pm while at Whitestone Contracting Stadium Old Boys will face Athletic Marist.
- Terry O'Neill