Rugby: Rotorua to host Steamers session for youngsters

Central Bay of Plenty's rugby manager Brendon Webby Photo/Ben Fraser

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union will bring its Steamers holiday programme for schoolchildren to Rotorua next week for a one-day session at Neil Hunt Park.

The day is open to boys and girls aged 7-12 years of all abilities, and promises parents "to ignite your child's passion for rugby as they experience expert coaching, team challenges and spot prizes".

Central Bay of Plenty rugby manager Brendon Webby said the $25 fee for the coaching day represented "good value for money". "There's going to be some quality coaching and a great day out," he said. "It's about developing core and fundamental skills to take away.

He would be taking training sessions on the day along with coaches at the New Zealand Sports Academy. "When kids are learning they are having fun, so it's about developing that life-long love of rugby."

The training day will come after a three-day programme held at Baypark in Tauranga, and Webby said the Rotorua session was partly about testing the waters for the possibility of future programmes in the city.

"There's definitely the demand for it [elsewhere], but it's seeing whether there is the demand in Rotorua."

Early signs were promising - as of yesterday, a week before the holiday programme day, there were only 10 to 15 spots left out of 70 available.

Webby also raised the possibility of a celebrity rugby appearance. "Hopefully a Steamer will be there."

For those taking part in next week's training day, the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has recommended taking running shoes or boots, a warm jacket in case of bad weather, morning tea, packed lunch and a drink bottle.

Rugby boots and mouthguards were optional.

Webby became the first Central Bay of Plenty's rugby manager when he took on the newly created position in February.

At the time he told the Rotorua Daily Post he was looking forward to "giving something back to the game" in the role.

-For more information visit www.boprugby.co.nz