Otago rugby might not have bloomed at the top level in recent times but latest figures show its grassroots are healthy.
Playing numbers in Otago were up 7% from last year, figures released yesterday by the New Zealand Rugby Union show.
That compared favourably with the national increase of 4%.
"This is good news for Otago," Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said yesterday.
"The increased figure represents not just the keen interest of players, but the enthusiasm and commitment of parents and volunteers throughout the province."
Otago recorded an 11% increase in players up to 12 years old (national figure 6%), a decrease of 2% in players 13 to 20 (national figure -1%) and a significant increase of 16% in players over 21 (national figure 4%).
Pleasingly for the ORFU, the number of coaches in Otago increased by 17% (national figure 3%).
But the numbers of referees and administrators were down 17% and 14% respectively.
The NZRU's figures showed there were 145,472 registered players in New Zealand this year.
Community rugby general manager Brent Anderson said a 4% increase was a positive sign.
One of the biggest national increases came in the under-13 age group, which showed 6% growth.
