Rugby sevens' entry into the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro is certain to be on the long-range plans of every player competing in the North Island secondary schoolgirls' tournament being held at Greerton Park today and tomorrow.
Bay of Plenty Rugby have been proactive in the development of women'ssevens in the region and this season enlisted the services of former international Chad Tuoro to identify and develop the area's promising players.
"Bay of Plenty are focused on giving our local women's players the best chance of representing New Zealand at the 2016 Olympics (and) the North Island tournament is one of our first steps in taking the Bay to the forefront of women's sevens rugby in the country," said Bay of Plenty rugby union operations manager Neil Alton.
Eight secondary schools will battle it out for the North Island crown.
Bay of Plenty will field four teams - Opotiki College, Rotorua Girls High, Tauranga Girls' College and Otumoetai. A Bay of Plenty derby between Opotiki College and Rotorua Girls' College, and Otumoetai College taking on Putaruru, opened the tournament today, with the final at 1pm tomorrow.
