Central Otago’s push to field a colts team in the Dunedin competition this year has moved a little closer to reality.
Central Otago junior rugby co-ordinator Aaron Callaghan said a "couple" of people were lined up to coach the team and a small squad of 16 players was keen to take up the challenge.
The next hurdle will be to recruit another 10 or so players. Callaghan will issue a call to arms through the various clubs and also run a recruitment campaign on social networks.
He is desperate for the concept to work because, at the moment, there is nowhere for promising school leavers to play rugby in Central if they do not feel comfortable making the step up to senior rugby.
"We are still fairly hopeful we can get it going," Callaghan said.
"The issue is we get a lot of boys leave school and the next step for them is premier club rugby. But for some of them that step is a little too far.
"Perhaps physically they are not quite developed or ready for that, so it is about trying to give them an opportunity to continue playing rugby. Hopefully, over time, that will actually give the premier teams a bit more strength as we build that player base."
Another significant challenge in the past has been the travel required. But Callaghan said "all the Dunedin-based clubs" have swung in behind the idea and are happy to travel to Central for one game a season. Travel will still present challenge. Central Otago will have a wide catchment from Maniototo to Queenstown and getting them together for practice will be difficult.
"It might mean the team just trains once a week," Callaghan said.
At this stage it looks as though the team will be based at the Cromwell Rugby Football Club "depending on where the numbers are coming from within the squad".
"It might be a case of moving training around. But most games will be at Cromwell or in Alex [Alexandra].
"The opening game of the season is on April 14, so Central Otago will have to scramble to find the extra players it needs to make it through a season.
"At some stage we have to make a call whether it is going to go ahead or maybe it is something we look at for next season.
"We’ll probably have to make that call within the next couple of weeks.
"We’ve been given up until a week before to make that decision but realistically we need to get things really cranking in the next couple of weeks."
Callaghan said anyone wanting to play for the team should contact him at the Otago Rugby Football Union or go to the Union’s social network sites.
As an "extra carrot", Central Otago will probably play its second game of the season at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
