Touch rugby: Future stars at Northern Interprovincial Series in Rotorua

The Bay of Plenty Division 2 under-10 girls' team won gold at last year's Northern Interprovincial Touch Series. Photo / Supplied

There will be a wealth of young touch talent in action during the Northern Interprovincial Series in Rotorua this weekend.

It is the largest representative touch tournament in New Zealand and this year has attracted a record 93 teams who will compete in under-10, under-12, and under-14 boys', girls' and mixed grades.

Teams from Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Thames Valley, Te Tai Tokerau and Waikato will compete in the tournament at Puarenga Park. As well as the titles for each age group up for grabs, provinces also play for the overall Division 1 and Division 2 titles.

Bay of Plenty has 19 teams entered, which is one more than last year and the most of any province. Coaching director Ira Te Kani said it was the highest level of touch these age groups could play in New Zealand.

"It's the pinnacle for these kids really, this is like their nationals. This tournament is about encouraging the kids to play and getting as many kids out on the paddock playing as we can, it's great."

She said the quality of play during the tournament was always "brilliant".

"It's highly competitive and the talent and skill level increases each year.

"The tournament is an opportunity to develop young referees - along with the 19 teams we have to have 19 referees from the Bay of Plenty, so it's a chance for them to get some experience."

It was also an opportunity for young coaches and managers to gain experience. New Zealand under-18 mixed manager Mike Te Kurapa and New Zealand under-16 mixed coach Rongo Piua started off coaching Bay of Plenty under-10 sides in the Northern Interprovincial Series.

Bay of Plenty have won the overall Division 2 trophy since the tournament's inception four years ago.

"We're aiming for the Division 1 trophy this year, we really want it," she said.

She said Counties Manukau and Auckland were usually the strongest provinces in Division 1.

Touch New Zealand communications co-ordinator Tamara Keefe said the main objective of the tournament was to encourage and support the young players.

"While we celebrate the intent to perform to the best of our ability with the best representatives in the respective age grades from these regions, the ultimate goal is to ensure the experience is positive and players develop an inherent desire to continue playing touch and sport in general," Keefe said.