Excitement builds for sevens

Bay of Plenty sevens player Curtis van der Heyden, of Rotorua, and Events and Venues Rotorua operations manager Maria Mills are set for the Bayleys National Sevens. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua will be hit by sevens fever when hundreds of players and spectators flood into the city for the Bayleys National Sevens tournament.

The National Sevens will be held in Rotorua for the first time on January 11 and 12.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the Rotorua International Stadium during the fast-paced two-day event.

Bayleys National Sevens event manger Allison Stewart said the sevens was a great fit for Rotorua.

"It has been in the planning stages since February this year," Ms Stewart said. "We just want a lot of people to come along now and enjoy it."

She said it would provide a boost for the local economy.

"The 26 teams all have between 15 and 18 people and we have had really good inquiries from places like Poverty Bay, Southland and Otago where people want to come up and stay here over the sevens weekend," she said.

"Having that number of people being fed and [accommodated] will be great for the local economy."

Rotorua will host the event for at least the next two years after the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union won the rights.

Up until this year, the National Sevens has been a long-standing tradition in Queenstown.

Ms Stewart said the tournament would be more of a family-friendly event than the international Wellington Sevens, with more focus on provincial support than dressing up in costume.

"We are hoping people will turn up in their provincial colours ... but if the Flintstones want to come they are welcome with everyone else."

Events and Venues Rotorua operations manager Maria Mills said the Rotorua International Stadium was a great venue to host the event, with about 5000 people per day expected to attend. The event will include a mascot for each province plus a big screen and children's area at the ground.

Bay of Plenty sevens player Curtis van der Heyden, from Rotorua, said he was looking forward to the tournament.

"I am as nervous as I am excited. Being from here, the level of expectation for the home team to do well is huge."The Bayleys National Sevens comprises both a men's and women's competition and will be televised live on Sky.