Rippa Rugby World Cups to kick off across the Bay

The Rippa Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament is May 31 at Ray Boord Park in Rotorua. Photo/File

Rippa Rugby World Cups will kick off across the Bay of Plenty throughout the next three weeks.

The Rippa Rugby World Cup tournaments will see just over 1500 kids across two grades - Years 3 and 4, and Years 5 and 6.

The qualifying tournaments will feature 64 teams from Western Bay of Plenty, 40 teams from Central Bay of Plenty, and 48 teams from the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The Central Bay of Plenty qualifying tournament is on May 31 at Ray Boord Park in Rotorua.

Following the series of collective tournaments, the top 12 teams in each grade will compete at the Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup on Friday, June 16 at Ray Boord Park.

This is the day before the Maori All Blacks match against the British and Irish Lions and the international women's series in Rotorua.

These tournaments have been running for 10 years and are a chance for many kids to take their first steps in playing rugby. Each team must have five girls and five boys in their squad for the regional tournament, baywide tournament and NZR national tournament.

It is a great introduction into rugby for these players, learning key skills such as passing, catching, evasion, support, communication and working as a team.

The winner of the Year 5 and 6 competition will represent the region at the national Air New Zealand Rippa Rugby Championship in Wellington from September 18-19.

Last year Bay of Plenty was represented by Kawerau South, who finished third at the National Rippa Rugby tournament.

Junior Rugby Development Officer Brett Johnson said it was great to see the number of kids, in particular girls, involved in Rippa Rugby.

"We have witnessed some amazing talent over the term one Rippa Rugby modules, so it should be a fantastic couple of weeks across the Bay of Plenty, seeing the best Rippa Rugby talent for each area rip it up.

"It is an awesome experience for all who are involved."

Tournament dates:
Western Bay of Plenty:
Wednesday 24 May, Blake Park, Tauranga 9.00am-2.30pm
Postponement Day: Thursday 25 May, Blake Park, Tauranga 9.00am - 2.30pm

Central Bay of Plenty:
Wednesday 31 May, Ray Brood Park, Rotorua 9.00am-2.30pm
Postponement Day: Friday 2 June, Ray Brood Park, Rotorua 9.00am - 2.30pm

Eastern Bay of Plenty:
Wednesday 7 June, Tarawera Park, Kawerau 9.00am-2.30pm
Postponement Day: Thursday 8 June, Tarawera Park, Kawerau 9.00am - 2.30pm

Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup:
Friday June 16, Ray Brood Park, Rotorua 9.00am-2.30pm