Rugby league numbers increasing

HIGH HOPES: Otumoetai Eels coach Alex Parker, left, and young player Carlos Levao. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

There is much for the Otumoetai Eels to look forward to in 2017.

The club is one of the favourites for the combined BOP/Coastline Premiers competition with a new coach and record numbers of juniors taking up the game.

The Eels, based at Tauranga's Mitchell Park, have one of the better playing surfaces and home ground atmosphere in the league.

New Premiers player/coach Alex Parker, 32, is from Christchurch originally and began playing with the Papanui Tigers before spending five years in Townsville.

The Mount Maunganui College PE teacher played for the Eels under coach Len Brown and has now taken over as head coach.

"Like any team in the comp our goal is to win the competition, beginning with the Bay of Plenty/Coastline comp and if we get a crack at some of those Waikato teams that would be awesome," Parker said.

"Obviously we set ourselves high standards, and that is our number one goal."

Parker is excited with the mix of experience and talented young players he has to work with at the Eels.

"I am lucky with a really good core of senior boys and combine that with the likes of Carlos [Levao] and a few younger boys coming through which is great.

"Like I said we are setting ourselves some high standards in the way we prepare for games and the way we play our games as well. So far so good, as we have started really well."

Among the experienced players on the Eels roster is former NRL standoff, Josh Weeden.

"He is really important. We also have Detroit 'Boogz' Paki, Dan Holmes, Mitchy [Cairns Nelson] and Willz Rutene, Tane Leef. You know a really good core group of senior boys that lead by example," Parker said.

The Eels are also setting standards at junior levels.

Mike McLennan and NZRL employee Laura Rowe are newly appointed members driving the juniors sector and have made changes that are already benefiting the club.

Exciting Eels fullback/wing Levao is one of the new breed of rugby league players coming through the junior grades at clubs like Otumoetai, Tauranga Whalers, Papamoa Bulldogs and Te Puke Tigers.

The 17-year-old had a Premiers debut to remember, scoring two tries for the Eels in their last start 52-10 win over Taupo Phoenix to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Levao, who starred at rugby, sevens and hip hop at Tauranga Boys' College, played four games for the Warriors under-18 side in the Ruben Wiki Cup over the summer.

He says it was a big step-up playing against men.

"I didn't feel as scared as I knew all the boys had my back on the field which was a good feeling and it gave me that confidence to play just normal," he said.

"It is good playing here. There is so much talent and so many role models within the senior grade that all the younger ones look up to and I do as well.

"I still have a lot to learn."