In a move that sees a shift from performance to participation, North Harbour Rugby Union have axed their representative programme for junior players.
In a report from the New Zealand Herald, it has been revealed that North Harbour have dissolved their junior representative programme, instead now implementing "rugby development experiences", simultaneously axing the end of season Junior Club Representative Tournament.
North Harbour's general manager David Gibson says that the move will see a shift towards enjoyment from participants in their junior programme.
"Harbour's purpose is 'Improving Lives, Through Rugby', and when it comes to our community we want to maximise engagement and grow participation through quality experiences," Gibson told the NZ Herald.
"For us this means cultivating a climate of development and fun around our junior rugby programmes and putting the kids at the centre of the experience.
"Ultimately we want to make rugby an even more enjoyable experience for the kids, which is the most important part of this for us".
The to-be-introduced rugby development experiences will see non-contact 'rippa rugby' for boys between 8 and 13, as well as girls under-15s and school grades.
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