Bay of Plenty development team replaced by new comp

Coach Clayton McMillan has replaced the Bay of Plenty Development team with a new sub-union tournament. Photo/File

Bay of Plenty Rugby has introduced a new competition to replace the Bay of Plenty Development team.

The Baywide Pro 4 series will feature Bay of Plenty Samoa, Te Waiariki, Western Bay of Plenty and Eastern Bay of Plenty sides.

It will involve three weeks of round-robin fixtures with the final week on Saturday, September 2, at Eastern Districts club in Paengaroa.

One of the goals of the series is to improve the connection between the Steamers squad and players who are either on the fringe or demonstrate potential.

The Bay of Plenty Development team has previously been regarded as the best way to promote players into the Steamers. After reviewing the success of promoting players to the Bay of Plenty Steamers on a consistent basis, it was felt that having a wider catchment of players involved would be a better pathway.

A major innovation in the new system is the union offering apprenticeship contracts.

Bay of Plenty director of rugby and Steamers head coach Clayton McMillan says there is an opportunity for players involved in the Pro 4 Series to be selected into an apprenticeship programme to be part of a semi-professional environment.

"We will be selecting players from the series to come into an apprenticeship programme, where they will be contracted to train and be part of the Steamers' squad environment," McMillan said.

"This provides us as coaches an opportunity to work with those players more, get to see how they tick and, most importantly, the players get to see what a semi-professional environment is like and whether they are willing to do the hard yards to be part of it full time."

McMillan grew up in an era where sub-union rugby was strong throughout Bay of Plenty.

"We know sub-union rugby has a rich history and, if the series is successful, we would like to get all sub-unions involved next year and have the Te Hurunui Apanui Shield up for grabs.

"The Central Bay of Plenty had committed to the Stan Meads Cup this year so will not be involved but their players will still be considered for the apprenticeship places."

A major expectation is that the series will involve more players and coaches participating in representative rugby following the Baywide club season.

McMillan sees the new initiative as highly beneficial to all Bay of Plenty clubs.

"We hope that the increased number of players, coaches and management involved will provide them with the opportunity to take their key learnings from the series back to their clubs and assist the growth and development or their club personnel."

Selection of teams will be determined by the players' eligibility. If a player is eligible for more than one team, then he will choose what team to play for in the series.

Baywide Pro 4 Series draw
All games 2.30pm kick-off

Saturday August 19
Eastern Bay of Plenty v Bay of Plenty Samoan, Lawson Park, Paroa
Te Waiariki v Western Bay of Plenty Sub Union, Richmond Park, Matata

Saturday August 26
Eastern Bay of Plenty v Te Waiariki at Rugby Park, Whakatane
Western Bay of Plenty v Bay of Plenty Samoan, Blake Park, Mount Maunganui

Saturday September 2
Eastern Bay of Plenty Sub Union v Western Bay of Plenty Sub Union, Paengaroa
Te Waiariki v Bay of Plenty Samoan, Paengaroa