The number of people playing rugby in Otago has risen by about 7% and the Otago Rugby Football Union is thrilled with the increase.
ORFU amateur rugby manager Justin Gardner said the union had about 7500 registered players in the province, which was a significant rise from last year.
Gardner said it was "great" that more people were playing the game, and the increase was thanks to some hard work by union staff.
The increase was encouraging at a time when many sports were struggling for numbers, he said.
A competition for players aged over 35 had started in Dunedin this year, and this had helped lift numbers, with several teams playing once a month.
There was also a senior B competition in Central Otago featuring four teams, and in Dunedin the union had established a student hostel women's competition, also contested by four teams.
Rippa rugby tournaments for junior players throughout Central Otago, Queenstown-Lakes and Dunedin had contributed to the increase as well, Gardner said.
While he did not have overall national figures, he said numbers were also up in Southland, which was encouraging for the Highlanders region.
"We're rapt with the result. A lot of people think it is too hard to play rugby but these figures show people are playing and enjoying the sport," he said.
"We've had to adapt in many ways and play on Wednesdays and Sundays sometimes to suit people."
Meanwhile, Gardner said after a couple of defaults last year the union had decided to not field an Otago under-14 side this season, and would instead hold an under-14 development coaching clinic later this month.
He said players would learn skills at the clinic they could take into more senior age groups.
Gardner said many unions were reining in costs and restricting travel by teams.
The Tasman union had decided not to send teams to the under-65kg and under-48kg tournament in Dunedin later next month, citing high travel costs, he said.
