Schoolboys now playing for a big name
6th May 2010 01:29PM
Famous Waikato rugby names are set to become a part of schoolboy rugby with the introduction of new trophies for the secondary school grades.
For each grade the competition prize is now a trophy carrying the name of a past prominent player.
Waikato Rugby Union rugby development manager Kent Currie said he put the proposal forward because he felt it was an ideal chance to pay tribute to past greats and create more interest in the sport at those levels.
"I thought it was just a great opportunity to honour some of our great players and players who have worn our colours with distinction," Currie said.
"Hopefully it is going to add excitement to secondary school players.
"We do have a bit of a drop-off at the secondary school level, and that's not only in the Waikato, that's nationwide as well, so if we can create a little bit of excitement by creating these trophies for competitions, and we can retain a lot more players, that will be a great thing," he said.
And he's hoping that in five years people will remember the competitions by name rather than grade.
The former players are all Waikato centurions or All Blacks and every one of them played secondary school rugby in Waikato.
"All the players have been very accepting of getting their names on them and they're all pretty chuffed about it," Currie said.
Each trophy will be on the sidelines at one of the games each weekend.
Ian Foster is the most capped Waikato player and the Ian Foster Shield will be the prize for the top grade – 1st XV Division 1.
The others are: Warren Gatland Cup (2nd XV Division 2), Marty Holah Cup (3rd XV Division 3), Andrew Strawbridge Cup (Under-15s), Steve Gordon Shield (Under-14s), Jonno Gibbes Trophy (Under-65kg) and Pat Bennett Trophy (Under-55kg).
