Manawatū Rugby Union’s new Pathways Programme is putting the emphasis on retaining and developing local talent.

The Pathways Programme is a standalone strategy that provides a conduit between the Community game and Manawatū Rugby’s performance teams, the Turbos and Cyclones.  The Pathways Programme was signed off by the union’s Board in October and comes with the vision of being “New Zealand’s leading player development programme”.

The new strategy aligns with the MRU’s Strategic Framework, which was formalised earlier this year.

MRU Board Chair Tim Myers said the union was at a critical juncture of the rollout of the strategic framework and the timing was right to look into the union’s programmes.

“Our mission is to install pride in the Manawatū community and one of the best ways to do that is to ensure we have an adequate platform for our local talent,” he said.

“Manawatū is a small province in terms of NPC and FPC but we punch above our weight when it comes to producing talented young players. It is important to protect that local talent pool and ensure that Manawatū Rugby provides them with the best possible pathway to reach Super Rugby, Super Rugby Aupiki, the Black Ferns and the All Blacks.”

The programme will be led by Head Coach Mike Rogers and Pathways Manager Lifeimi Mafi.

Rogers said it was important to recognize where provincial rugby sits in the wider rugby landscape.

“What is obvious is NPC and FPC rugby now sit clearly as development competitions in the New Zealand rugby scene.  We need to shift our focus from winning games of NPC and FPC to developing New Zealand U20, Super Rugby, Black Ferns and All Blacks players. The irony is if we do a good job of player development we will end up winning more games and will have teams that are more representative of our local rugby communities than they are now,” he said.

The strategy sees a significant emphasis placed on retaining our best school leaver talent to enter the Manawatū Rugby Academy.

To ensure there is a pipeline of players in all positions coming through our system, the union is also targeting players from outside of the Manawatū region to come into the unions Pathway programme at Academy level in positions of need.

Increased resourcing of the Manawatū Rugby Academy means there will be more people on the ground working with our aspiring players and connecting with our community. 

There will also be further work on the support of our Senior One and Prue Christie Cup teams and a new coach development model to support the growth of our coaches within the region.

Myers said the programme had a focus on the long-term sustainability of rugby in the Manawatū region.

“We are excited about seeing this plan come to fruition and the difference that it will make to rugby in our proud province will be significant.”

Announcements of the union’s 2024 academy intake will be made in the coming weeks.

Article added: Friday 08 December 2023