Rugby: Sevens stars of future told to show what they've got

Latu Vaeno is one Rotorua Boys' High School player who would probably excel in the NZ Wasps Sevens Academy. Photo / Ben Fraser

Some of the finest young sevens players the Bay of Plenty has to offer will converge on Rotorua on Sunday for the NZ Wasps Sevens Academy screening day.

The emphasis is on youth, with secondary school and club players under the age of 20 to battle it out for 13 available academy spots next year.

NZ Wasps director David Mays said he had already been provided nominations from schools and clubs.

Mays urged last year's school leavers with a specific sevens skill-set to put their names forward by attending the screening day.

The academy has a stated goal of developing young athletes into sevens-specific players, with a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, mental toughness and a physical frame able to adapt to the specific training demands of sevens seen as the most important characteristics of prospective players.

Players are to meet at the Rotorua Boys' High School's Millennium Centre at 11am on Sunday for registrations and outlines for the day.

Players are asked to take boots, runners, lunch, water bottle and training/playing wear to the screening, which will end about 4pm.