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New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle visited Dunedin yesterday, in a bid to rejuvenate the stocks of the sport in Otago.

He believedit had the potential to grow, as long as sound structures were put in place.

"We want to rejuvenate the game here by having competitions that the kids will want to play," he said.

Doyle told a public meeting at Sport Otago last night that New Zealand Rugby League had a strategic plan to boost the game in the South Island.

"We hope to have a few players from Otago, Southland and the West Coast in the Southern zone team for the national competition at the end of the year."

The plan was to create pathways for players from any part of the country to represent their zone in the national competition.

There are also plans to revive the old interclub competition between teams from Otago and Southland.

The chairman of the Southern zone, Rex Capil, said it was about "putting in place structures that make the game work for Otago".

"If that means linking with Southland, I know there are opportunities."

A problem for league in the past in Dunedin has been the indifference and even hostility from schools to the sport.

"That was victimisation and completely wrong," Doyle said.

"The kids should have a choice to play league, union, soccer, or any other sport they choose."

Capil did not see any problem with younger footballers playing both league and union.

"My 13-year-old son plays union but is biting at the bit to play league as well," he said.
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/league/95251/rugby-league-plans-boost-game-south