Its really hard trying to convince the public of the rural area to come and play Football.
A lot of them are quite opinionated to the fact that they think Football is for girls, mostly because of the connotations that European and South American football gives off. E.g. Luis Suarez diving everywhere.
I mean, I didn't grow up in a rural area, but I went to an intermediate which was quite rural, and even then, the kids and the parents, and also somewhat teachers get like that.
They seem to consider Football as (Excuse my language) being for "Pussies".
And it seems like that in the suburbs and city areas as well. Year 9 at Westlake Boys was tough. Then we all matured so it was fine by year 10.
I really really like the idea though.
I'm an ex-farm boy and was at a rural primary school (Amberley in North Canterbury - about 99% pakeha!) in 1981-82 when 'soccer' fever swept the country. Even my old man (an ex rugby club prop) was into it, taking us to a pre World Cup friendly at the old QE11 vs Hungary. Come the winter in '82 all the boys & girls wanted to play football (like all kids jumping on the latest fad), and there wasn't enough boys left to form a school rugby fifteen. Our very grizzly 60 yrs Principal (also long time coach of the North Canterbury senior mens rep rugby team back then, and a well known rural community identity), stormed onto the soccer field and marched a selection of us 'ex'- rugby boys back over to the rugby field quick smart. Our football careers were over!
I played rugby all way into my late twenties, it's what all my peers (mostly farm boys, who went onto uni etc) did. However never really did enjoy being tarred with or part of that rugby head/heavy drinking culture - still loved the mateship.
Wasn't til after London OE, and body starting ache too much from rugby that I rediscovered 'soccer'. I love both sports - but yeah sadly in rural areas football will often struggle - and young kids who are football fans, risk being bullied etc.
One thing I do hate about football as opposed to rugby, is sometimes get a fudgewit, who thinks he is better than he is. In rugby you drop a pass, a team mate pulls you up off the ground, and gives you a consoling pat on the head. I'm a football hack, but always play in a team of hacks. Yet still now and again strike a wannabe fat version of Ronaldo team mate, who if you don't square him a pinpoint pass worthy of his skills, gesticulates like the Real Madrid superstar himself. I always have to fight a great urge not to snot this fudgewit team mate on the chin. That in my view makes rugby a better 'team' game - but again I feel the love for both.