A sevens academy will be launched in the Bay of Plenty this year targeting up-and-coming sevens stars.
Sir Gordon Tietjens and Buck Shelford, who are ambassadors for the academy, were on hand at the weekend to help launch the Wasps Academy Sevens programme.
The academy will target young men aged 17 to 20, from across the Bay of Plenty, who have shown plenty of potential as young rugby players.
The main goal is to mould future sevens stars and also to give school-leavers an edge when it comes to transitioning from school rugby into senior club rugby. About 16 young players will be selected for the inaugural academy which will begin next month and run until late February.
New Zealand sevens coach Tietjens said the academy was a great idea that could be used in provinces all over the country.