Bay of Plenty Steamers get muddy as they muck in at Western Heights park in Rotorua

Bay of Plenty Steamers players Luke Campbell (left) and Fasi Fuatai put down the rugby balls and pick up a spade to help plant feijoas in Western Heights. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Bay of Plenty Steamers got a little muddy as they rolled up their sleeves, pulled on their gumboots, picked up a spade and dug in for the Western Heights community.

The Western Heights Community Association has been working to rejuvenate the community and reinvigorate parks around the area.

Yesterday 20 Bay of Plenty Steamers came along to help with planting feijoa trees and had a wet weather kick around with local kids at the reserve on Turner Drive.

Association community co-ordinator Veena Kameta said the kids enjoyed the chance to get involved with planting alongside the Steamers.

"We have been reinvigorating the reserve through consultation with the community, planting orchards, creating youth spaces, activities and events, hence tree planting today."

She said after a kick around with the players the kids were "very wet".

Bay of Plenty Steamers players Luke Campbell (left) and Fasi Fuatai put down the rugby balls and pick up a spade to help plant feijoas in Western Heights. Photo / Stephen Parker

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union strategic manager David Pearce said the day was about the team having a chance to connect with the Western Heights community.

"It's really nice for our guys to come and help out, meet the locals, plant trees and work on some ball skills with the kids."

He said despite the rain and muddy field, it was a winter game so the guys were certainly used to the weather.

"Some pretty tough conditions today, but great fun for everybody, and some of the guys are here for the first time which is really neat."

After the kick around the Steamers headed to Skyline to go luging which halfback Luke Campbell said it would "definitely get competitive".

Flanker Tanerau Latimer said it had been a cold morning but it had been great.

"The kids were keen, they've braved the weather, it's cool for them to meet the boys and get among it."

Local kids and members of the Bay of Plenty Steamers muck in to help set up a community orchard. Photo / Stephen Parker

Peter Pahl had brought a group of kids from the Whakarewarewa Rugby team to come and meet some of their heroes.

"I think it's a good day.

"It's awesome for them to see these guys that they really look up to and to see where it could take them one day."

Team member Mason Barry, 9, said his favourite part of the day was getting to have a kick around with the team.

One day he hopes to play for the Steamers, get into the Chiefs and then the All Blacks, he said.

Trent Callaghan-Leach is a rangatahi representative for the Western Heights Community Association and had the chance to welcome the Steamers to the reserve.

"My job was to make sure they had a good feed and hopefully a good day in this terrible weather."