Discuss the annual Hawke's Bay Sevens tournament in Waipukurau and it never takes long for the Havelock North club to pop up in the conversation.
After all, Havelock North have recorded the most Ian Baker Memorial Cup men's championship wins in the 28-year history of the tournament which will be played at Central Park today with 11. With the bulk of the Hawke's Bay team on their roster their chances of retaining the title must be considered high.
However. there is more than a slight chance Gillies Kaka, Ihaia West, Levi Armstrong and company could be upstaged by their club's women's team, playing in the tournament for the first time.
Last year's IRB Sevens women's player-of-the-year, Kelly van Harskamp, of the Netherlands, will play for Havelock.
A full-time sevens player since 2010, van Harskamp, 24, is on her first visit to New Zealand as part of her quest to get as much quality game time in as possible in the build-up to the 2016 Olympics.
"Normally I'm a winger but I will play first five-eighths this weekend," said van Harskamp, who has been clocked at 5.20s over 40m.
She played in the first round of the World Series in Dubai but missed last weekend's Las Vegas-hosted round because of her decision to play in New Zealand.
"Our team got a few injuries in Vegas, so I might have to go and play in the Hong Kong tournament next month," van Harskamp said.
Last year she played a prominent role for the Netherlands when they finished second in Las Vegas, third in Hong Kong, third in Rome, third in the European championship and second in the Amsterdam Sevens. Her team, coached by South African Gareth Gilbert was the only side to beat Aotearoa in Rome last year.
"I don't know the Aotearoa girls by name, but they had good steppers and very good speed."
Van Harskamp is confident the Netherlands will qualify for the 12-team women's segment of the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
"We have to be ranked among the top five teams in Europe and we've been a top-three side for the past six years."
Van Harskamp said her Havelock team had a good mix of youth and experience and has made steady progress at recent trainings under coaches Campbell Johnstone and Manu Petera. Women's player-of-the-tournament at this month's New Zealand Marist tournament in Wellington, Kate Bradshaw, speedster Candis Cardie and her sister Celeste Lowe should give van Harskamp the support she needs.
All Black legend Jonah Lomu has always been her hero. She regards new sensation, Frank Halai, as the best of the 2012 New Zealand sevens team.
A rugby player since she was seven, van Harskamp, is accompanied by her partner, Ben Blom, who plays sevens and 15s. He has been training with the Havelock North Sevens squad.
"I couldn't make their team for this weekend ... They've got too many professionals. Hopefully I'll make the team for the Greytown tournament," Blom said.
Former Hawke's Bay age-group representative and Clive premier player Storm Carroll, who is now playing in the Netherlands, arranged Blom's and van Harskamp's visit to the Bay.
The RDCL-sponsored Havelock North will be one of nine women's teams in the 42-team tournament. Defending champions Eketahuna will start as favourites.
Former Tui and world champion Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney will captain the Eketahuna side, which featured in a televised exhibition match during the recent Wellington Sevens. World champion Kiwi Ferns Shaan Waru and Maia Tua-Davidson are other former Tuis in the Eketahuna team.
Havelock North will again start as favourites in the 21-team men's section.
Manawatu Sevens champions Kia Toa, last year's runners-up Linton and Freyberg Old Boys are among the fancied starters from the Bay's neighbouring province.
A Fijian-dominated Lomaivita Barbarians side, containing players from throughout the North Island, and Pacific Warriors, from Wellington, are other visiting sides chasing the biggest share of the $5500 prize pool. Along with Havelock North, Hastings Rugby and Sports and Napier Old Boys Marist, are Hawke's Bay teams capable of securing championship semifinal berths in the wake of recent tournament play outside the Bay.
Twelve teams including defending champions Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports will chase the colts title. After winning the Wairoa Open Men's tournament last weekend, Havelock North should at least reach the semifinals.
Play starts at 10am and the men's championship final is scheduled for 6.20pm.