Steamie to compete in Mascot Cup

Charis Beehre, 8 (left), Noah Austin-Talbot, 6, and Avaani Beehre, 6, have already met Steamie but others will have the chance when he and other sevens mascots are at Eat Streat tomorrow. Photo/Stephen Parker

Forget about the national sevens titles up for the grabs, the real competition will be for the Mascot Mug.

Each province has been asked to bring their mascot costume to get involved in tests of agility, speed and strength at this weekend's Bayleys National Sevens. But before the Mascot Cup gets under way at the Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, there will be the chance to meet them on Eat Streat.

From 6pm tomorrow, the mascots will take part in a number of games until around 7.30pm.

Over the sevens weekend the mascots, including Steamie the Bay of Plenty mascot, will be put to the real test between matches.

"We want to find the best mascot," said Event and Venues events manager Martin Croft.

"We just want to have a bit of fun. It's not going to be too serious, it's more about interaction with the crowd and to create a bit of interest in what they're doing.

"Steamie will be a favourite, I know he has been training."

An invite has gone out to all the teams to bring their mascot but organisers are not sure how many will turn up. The mascots are being looked after by the Western Heights U16 rugby team who are raising funds for their trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to take part in the Cobra 10s tournament.

The mascots will regularly visit the kids zone at the stadium, where a fan marquee is being set up for children to get dressed up in their team's colours.