Rotorua teams miss out on qualifying for Tai Mitchell

FOCUSED: One of last year's stars Taiwhanake Waka Peters from Tauranga West in action against Tauranga East. PHOTO/FILE

What a difference 12 months can make in sport.

Last year Rotorua Maroon were crowned Tai Mitchell champions after beating Tauranga East 38-20 in the final and Rotorua Gold lost to Tauranga West in the play-off for third and fourth.

But the Rotorua teams have failed to qualify for this year's Tai Mitchell Primary Schools Tournament that begins at Blake Park today after failing to get through the pre-qualifying event in May.

This year two pre-season qualifying tournaments were held for the first time, splitting the 10 teams into two divisions - one to play for the Tai Mitchell Shield, the other the Bill Murray Trophy.

Te Puke were the best team on show in the qualifiers and will start as favourites in Pool A alongside Tauranga West and Tauranga North.

In Pool B Tauranga East are top seeds with Opotiki and Whakatane making up the group.

Rotorua Maroon, Rotorua Gold, Rangitaiki and Galatea will contest the Bill Murray Memorial Trophy over the next three days.

"We don't doubt these tournaments will provide the base for another fantastic and fiercely competitive Tai Mitchell tournament showcasing the upcoming talent in the Bay of Plenty," organising committee chairman Seamus Collins said.

"We appreciate the work that goes in from all 10 teams involved, especially their coaches and team management to get their teams ready for this tournament. We are looking forward to all their hard work hitting the fields from Thursday until the final on Sunday."

The tournament also provides an excellent opportunity for young referees to grow and develop. Ten referees from Waikato, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty will control the 25 games, under the direction of four experienced referee coaches.

The Tai Mitchell event began in 1938 and is the most important event on the Bay of Plenty junior rugby calendar.

Pool matches will be played at Blake Park today and Friday, with semifinals at Arataki's Grenada Park on Saturday and the finals on Sunday at Blake Park.

The original Tai Mitchell Shield was presented by Henry Taiporutu Mitchell in 1938 for competition among the primary school teams representing Bay of Plenty rugby sub-unions. Mitchell was a renowned Rotorua sports administrator and a supporter of all codes.

The tournament doubles as a trial for the Bay of Plenty Roller Mills team that will represent the province at the northern regional tournament against sides from Northland, Auckland, Thames Valley, King Country, Waikato and North Harbour.

The 2017 Roller Mills Tournament will be played at St Peter's School in Cambridge in October with all the teams accommodated there.

Bay of Plenty are second seeds after last year's good performance in a pool with Auckland West, North Harbour, Taranaki and Thames Valley.

Tai Mitchell draw, today

11.30am Blake 1 Te Puke v Whakatane
11.45am Blake 2 Tauranga West v Opotiki
12.45pm Blake 1 Tauranga East v Tauranga North
1pm Blake 2 Rotorua Maroon v Rangitaiki
2pm Blake 1 Rotorua Gold v Galatea

Tai Mitchell Tournament
Date: Thursday-Sunday
Locations: Blake Park, Mount Maunganui and Grenada Park, Arataki
Time: 9am-3.30pm
Draws: www.boprugby.co.nz/community-rugby