Only one sleep remains before the beginning of the 2014 Tai Mitchell tournament at Rotorua International Stadium, where young players from across the province will come together for a five-day, under-13 rugby festival.
Rotorua has two teams in the mix - Rotorua Maroon and Rotorua Gold - with Maroon especiallylooking to make their mark after getting knocked out by surprise package Te Puke in last year's semifinal at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union operations manager Neil Alton said the tournament had long been a highlight of the junior rugby calendar. " It's the profile under-13 tournament that's been going since 1938," he said.
"It's got huge historic significance to the union and has had plenty of good players come through it. It's held in high esteem."
The opening ceremony begins at 9.30am tomorrow, with officials and players making their final preparations over the next 24 hours.
For players that means ensuring they weigh under 53kg at the day one weigh-in, with a second weigh-in to follow on day four with a 55kg limit.
Alton said organisers in Rotorua had done an excellent job in preparing to host the tournament, with New Zealand Rugby Union Sevens manager Ross Everiff and John Naera prominently involved.
