Rugby in New Zealand is at risk of becoming an elite game: graduating to the top level is now less accessible for those who don't attend major private schools

As a direct result of growing up poor in one year, I got dropped from Northland Under 18s, my sub-union Uner 17s and as captain of my 1st XV.

I lived in an isolated rural community and my family did not own a car so getting to games and training meant bludging rides, hitchhiking, staying at relatives homes. As a result, I missed and was late to training sessions and games so understandably I got dropped

The thing that really hurt wasn't getting dropped but the scorn and contempt I was treated with, coaches looked at me like I was shit and I knew I would never play for another Nothland rep team again

At the time I was very bitter about the unfairness and I stopped playing rugby and never took any interest in it for a long time.

I'm well over the bitterness now but I have to shake my head derisively when someone says "Everyone one has an equal chance in sport"

My story is not unique, others from the small community I grew up in have had similar experiences.

/r/rugbyunion Thread Parent Link - theroar.com.au