The New Zealand Rugby Union's development manager for Maori rugby will be in Wanganui on Wednesday to introduce a programme designed to keep young people in the game as part of making good life choices.
Tiki Edwards has been running "E Tu Rangatahi" in the Hawkes Bay, Poverty Bay andManawatu areas in the past week.
Despite the heavy rain closing all of Wanganui's rugby grounds on Saturday, local spokesman Damian Peeti said the programme would be going ahead.
"There is a presentation session as well. Then we'll look at what availability there is in terms of [playing] space."
While Edwards' programme is as much about helping young people stay on the right path as it is about sport, Peeti said the Wanganui session was a a step towards reviving interest here in playing Maori rugby for senior men, wahine (women) and rangatahi (under 18).
"Basically, we are gearing up for the annual Central Regions Maori rugby tournament in Palmerston North on August 8-9 this year ... we see this as a way to develop rugby " women's and youth."
E Tu Rangatahi is scheduled for Wanganui City College at 3.30pm on Wednesday.
All under-18 male and female rugby players are welcome to attend.
