Sevens excitement builds in Rotorua

COMPETITIVE: Monqiue Rennie, co-owner of Smith Sports Shoes on Tutanekai St, standing in front of their entry for the Bayleys national sevens best window competition. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

There will be fierce rivalries off the field - as well as on it - with the Bayleys National Sevens Best Window title up for grabs.

It's just one week until the Bayleys National Sevens competition, which takes place at the Rotorua International Stadium next Saturday and Sunday.

And Rotorua businesses are getting behind the event, by decorating their windows in the colours of the provinces taking part.

When staff at Smith Sports Shoes on Tutanekai St found out they had been given the Taranaki men's team to support, they headed next door to the 1, 2, 3 Dollar Mart shop and bought decorations and balloons in yellow and black.

Co-owner Monique Rennie said it was the first time the store had taken part.

"We like to support everyone and we're expecting a busy weekend."

They will have stiff competition from Kaspers Sports Bar where manager, Lilly Jefford, said her team was in to win it having been given Northland men as their team.

"That's why we've done [the window display] with pompoms, hula skirts and balloons."

A further 26 other shops are taking part in the window display competition.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union business development manager Don Paterson said the promotion was a chance for the Rotorua community to support the event.

"It'll make the visiting teams and their supporters feel welcome."

He said participating businesses were welcome to build upon the basic collateral [in the competition pack] provided.

"This has produced some outstanding displays previously, we expect even better this year. The creative ladies at Footloose in Eruera St and the team at Kaspers jointly took out last year's title and they both aim to defend it against all opponents."

The winner will be announced on January 16.

Mr Paterson said there was plenty to look forward to at the event.

"It'll be two days of exciting, fun-filled family entertainment, with something to suit all ages ... and the chance to meet All Black and NZ Sevens stars make this a must-do event for the family this summer."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union media and marketing manager Amanda Thompson said players would be vying for selection into the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens next weekend.

All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder and Olympic silver medallist and Black Ferns captain Sarah Goss will be at the tournament as ACC sports ambassadors, she said.

"It'll be super to have them at the event and I understand Goss will be playing as well, while Milner-Skudder is recovering from an injury.

"It'll be an extraordinary weekend. [Sevens] is a fantastic sport to watch - short and sharp. There are always a number of tries and it's exciting and a growing Olympic sport."

She said ticket sales were strong but there were plenty left.

The Hits street team, in partnership with Bayleys, will have a whanau zone with an iHeartRadio photo booth, face-painting and inflatable fun for kids.

"The township will benefit from having the teams come to Rotorua for three days and bring with them all their supporters. It's an awesome day out - whether you're a rugby fanatic or just wanting to see a new sport," Miss Thompson said.

Bayleys National Sevens
When: January 14-15, 2017
Where: Rotorua International Stadium
Go: www.ticketmaster.co.nz
$15 Adult, $5 Child under-15, Under-5 Free, Family Tickets $35 (2 adults and up to 3 children)

■ Men
■ Pool A: Waikato, Hawke's Bay, North Harbour, Southland
■ Pool B: Northland, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, South Canterbury
■ Pool C: Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Tasman, Canterbury
■ Pool D: Wellington, Auckland, Otago, Horowhenua Kapiti
■ Women
■ Pool A: Manawatu, Waikato, Otago, North Harbour
■ Pool B: Wellington, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Hawke's Bay
■ Pool B: Counties Manukau, Canterbury, Tasman, Taranaki