Next weekend will see a rejuvenated club rugby scene kick off which is set to benefit all parts of Northland.
Following a Northland Rugby Union (NRU) review of the 2016 season, changes have been made to the competition structure to create a more sustainable competition - while also striving to improve the pathway for teams to enter more competitive divisions.
The most significant changes come to the Southern Districts First Division, Mangonui and Bay of Island's competitions, which will now be known as the Bayleys Northland Championship and split into a North Zone and a South Zone.
The Bayleys Northland Championship involves current Mangonui, Bay of Islands and Southern District division one clubs, separated based on their geographical spread, playing each other once before going on to semifinals and finals.
The two finalists will then be eligible to play off against the bottom two sides from the Bayleys Northland Premiership in a promotion/relegation match.