1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,027 Speaker 2: Increasing number of rugby clubs around the country are looking 4 00:00:15,067 --> 00:00:17,987 Speaker 2: at ways to remove financial barriers and keep kids in 5 00:00:18,027 --> 00:00:20,947 Speaker 2: the game, and the country's oldest club is leading the 6 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:26,267 Speaker 2: way by making junior rugby completely free. Nelson Rugby Football 7 00:00:26,267 --> 00:00:29,347 Speaker 2: Club is scrapping junior fees to make the sport more 8 00:00:29,387 --> 00:00:33,347 Speaker 2: accessible with strong backing from the community. Junior club captain 9 00:00:33,467 --> 00:00:36,867 Speaker 2: Lisa Trusler has been heavily involved in the initiative and 10 00:00:36,907 --> 00:00:38,867 Speaker 2: she joins us Now, Lisa, where did the idea come 11 00:00:38,907 --> 00:00:42,627 Speaker 2: from to remove junior fees altogether this season? 12 00:00:43,707 --> 00:00:47,307 Speaker 3: Well, it actually was first discussed a few years ago 13 00:00:47,707 --> 00:00:51,667 Speaker 3: one of our committee members, Quinton Harwood, he actually read 14 00:00:51,667 --> 00:00:56,187 Speaker 3: an article about other clubs that had done this, so 15 00:00:56,227 --> 00:00:58,547 Speaker 3: we're definitely not the first out there to do it, 16 00:00:59,867 --> 00:01:03,627 Speaker 3: and we started discussing it, and of course financially it 17 00:01:03,707 --> 00:01:07,467 Speaker 3: might not have been the best way forward, but over 18 00:01:07,507 --> 00:01:09,507 Speaker 3: the last couple of years we've kind of put our 19 00:01:09,547 --> 00:01:12,427 Speaker 3: heads together and said, actually this is the only way forward, 20 00:01:14,027 --> 00:01:16,267 Speaker 3: you know, like just to get the kids out there 21 00:01:16,347 --> 00:01:19,947 Speaker 3: playing is what we really want to see. 22 00:01:20,267 --> 00:01:22,867 Speaker 2: What were you seeing at club level and in your 23 00:01:22,907 --> 00:01:27,867 Speaker 2: community that suggested cost was becoming a real barrier for families. 24 00:01:29,507 --> 00:01:32,907 Speaker 3: I think it's just that, you know, families all over 25 00:01:33,067 --> 00:01:35,947 Speaker 3: are just struggling financially at the moment, and of course 26 00:01:36,027 --> 00:01:39,827 Speaker 3: sport is probably one of those things that just unfortunately 27 00:01:39,867 --> 00:01:44,787 Speaker 3: fall off the end. And yeah, so so we just 28 00:01:44,827 --> 00:01:47,067 Speaker 3: want to do whatever we can to to get people 29 00:01:47,107 --> 00:01:47,827 Speaker 3: back into it. 30 00:01:48,107 --> 00:01:50,827 Speaker 2: Incredible. So how big a decision was it financially because 31 00:01:50,827 --> 00:01:53,627 Speaker 2: as you say, you know you count on junior subs, 32 00:01:53,667 --> 00:01:56,267 Speaker 2: don't you as part of your balance sheet? So how 33 00:01:56,267 --> 00:01:58,707 Speaker 2: did you find the balance between want and more participation, 34 00:01:58,987 --> 00:02:02,867 Speaker 2: but also you know taking that financial hit as a club, Well, 35 00:02:02,907 --> 00:02:03,507 Speaker 2: I think. 36 00:02:03,267 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 3: We've got a really good community and so there is 37 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:10,667 Speaker 3: people that are offering donations or still want to pay 38 00:02:10,667 --> 00:02:13,947 Speaker 3: their subs. So of course we asked, you know, like 39 00:02:14,107 --> 00:02:16,787 Speaker 3: if they are willing and they want to, then that's great. 40 00:02:17,627 --> 00:02:20,507 Speaker 3: But we've also got families that can help out in 41 00:02:20,547 --> 00:02:22,907 Speaker 3: other ways. Maybe they've got something they want to donate 42 00:02:22,947 --> 00:02:27,387 Speaker 3: towards the raffle and that's their way of giving back. 43 00:02:28,227 --> 00:02:30,267 Speaker 2: Have you had a good reaction, have you had a 44 00:02:30,747 --> 00:02:34,027 Speaker 2: few more expressions of interest? You know, junior sup perhaps 45 00:02:34,107 --> 00:02:37,107 Speaker 2: might not have played previously, but under this new scheme 46 00:02:37,107 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 2: they might be able to. 47 00:02:39,147 --> 00:02:41,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, we absolutely have. I feel like my phone hasn't 48 00:02:41,987 --> 00:02:46,827 Speaker 3: stopped ringing it and it's just from like like little 49 00:02:46,827 --> 00:02:49,227 Speaker 3: Wii ones wanting to wanting to give it a go. 50 00:02:49,347 --> 00:02:51,547 Speaker 3: But I think it's just given everybody you know, that 51 00:02:51,667 --> 00:02:54,147 Speaker 3: push that they needed to registration. 52 00:02:54,267 --> 00:02:56,107 Speaker 2: As you say, free, but there are other costs out there, 53 00:02:56,227 --> 00:02:58,187 Speaker 2: like boots and gear. But I think you're doing doing 54 00:02:58,387 --> 00:03:00,307 Speaker 2: you mentioned a couple before, you're doing things to help 55 00:03:00,347 --> 00:03:01,707 Speaker 2: reduce those barriers as well. 56 00:03:02,547 --> 00:03:06,507 Speaker 3: Yeah. Absolutely, And we've got a boot swap box so 57 00:03:06,627 --> 00:03:10,707 Speaker 3: at the club rooms, once somebody's outgrowing their boots, they'll 58 00:03:10,707 --> 00:03:13,347 Speaker 3: bring them in and somebody else can come and come 59 00:03:13,347 --> 00:03:14,827 Speaker 3: and have a look and see if they fit and 60 00:03:14,867 --> 00:03:18,067 Speaker 3: take them. And we do that with head gear and 61 00:03:18,667 --> 00:03:21,067 Speaker 3: lots of other rugby items as well. 62 00:03:21,347 --> 00:03:24,467 Speaker 2: Do you think other clubs around the country should consider this. 63 00:03:25,587 --> 00:03:28,787 Speaker 3: I hope they do. I really really hope they do, 64 00:03:29,587 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 3: and not not only rugby, you know, lots of other 65 00:03:32,747 --> 00:03:35,747 Speaker 3: other sports out there. It would be great to see 66 00:03:35,787 --> 00:03:37,227 Speaker 3: the kids out there just doing it. 67 00:03:37,507 --> 00:03:39,747 Speaker 2: Do you have you got support from this from any 68 00:03:39,947 --> 00:03:42,067 Speaker 2: apart from hey, you're doing a great job from Nelson Bays, 69 00:03:42,347 --> 00:03:44,347 Speaker 2: from or from the Tasman Rugby Union rather, I mean 70 00:03:44,387 --> 00:03:46,867 Speaker 2: have they have they offered support in any way and 71 00:03:47,027 --> 00:03:49,987 Speaker 2: and might this be something that they might look at 72 00:03:49,987 --> 00:03:54,587 Speaker 2: doing in a more material way I would like to hope. 73 00:03:54,587 --> 00:03:58,307 Speaker 3: So, like you know, like it's this is so new, 74 00:03:59,187 --> 00:04:01,427 Speaker 3: it's only kind of just starting to get out there. 75 00:04:02,507 --> 00:04:05,987 Speaker 3: So yeah, hopefully in the future it will be you know, 76 00:04:06,347 --> 00:04:08,107 Speaker 3: big thing for everybody. 77 00:04:07,627 --> 00:04:10,467 Speaker 2: Lisa, what do you see kids getting out of rugby 78 00:04:10,547 --> 00:04:13,707 Speaker 2: that makes it worth fighting to keep it accessible? 79 00:04:15,227 --> 00:04:19,187 Speaker 3: Look confidence team sport, you know, like just that whole connection, 80 00:04:19,747 --> 00:04:23,667 Speaker 3: feeling like they belong somewhere, you know, like some kids 81 00:04:23,667 --> 00:04:26,547 Speaker 3: are missing there and yes, that's what we want to. 82 00:04:26,507 --> 00:04:29,627 Speaker 2: Bring and those on the sidelines to the connects families too, 83 00:04:29,707 --> 00:04:30,507 Speaker 2: for sure, doesn't it? 84 00:04:30,667 --> 00:04:33,907 Speaker 3: Ah? Absolutely, yeah, No, it's a whole family affair. 85 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:36,747 Speaker 2: Amazing and the weather and the weather's always good down 86 00:04:36,787 --> 00:04:38,787 Speaker 2: your way even in the winter as well, so it 87 00:04:38,787 --> 00:04:39,547 Speaker 2: couldn't be better. 88 00:04:40,347 --> 00:04:43,347 Speaker 3: It wasn't so flash last season, but we've got our. 89 00:04:43,227 --> 00:04:46,987 Speaker 2: Fingers crossed for this souven amazing initiative that you've brought 90 00:04:46,987 --> 00:04:49,747 Speaker 2: a Lisa, and No, I'll have a hugely positive flow 91 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:51,827 Speaker 2: on effect. Thanks for joining us and telling us all 92 00:04:51,827 --> 00:04:54,227 Speaker 2: about it. Thanks for having me, no, thanks for joining us, Lisa. 93 00:04:54,267 --> 00:04:56,867 Speaker 2: Lisa Trusseler their junior club captain at the Nelson Rugby 94 00:04:56,867 --> 00:04:59,507 Speaker 2: Football Club. They have scrapped their junior fees to make 95 00:04:59,507 --> 00:05:02,827 Speaker 2: the sport the sport more accessible in twenty twenty six. 96 00:05:03,387 --> 00:05:06,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live 97 00:05:06,667 --> 00:05:09,947 Speaker 1: to News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow 98 00:05:09,987 --> 00:05:11,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio