Whakarewarewa to host Baywide women's pre-season tournament

Waikite's Chevy-Lee Crean in action against Waimana last season. Photo/File

Whakarewarewa Rugby Club is set to showcase top women's rugby talent as it hosts the official Baywide pre-season tournament.

The tournament this weekend will see three Rotorua teams - Whaka, Rotoiti and Waikite battle it out against Waimana, Te Whanau Apanui, Rangataua and Rangiuru in a minimum of two, 30-minute matches. Teams will play both pool games and a play-off game as the day concludes on Sunday.

Plenty of up and coming stars will be on display with a mix of prominent and experienced female rugby players.

The pre-season tournament acts as a warm up to the Baywide season - a seven week round robin competition, before splitting into cup and trophy divisions for the second round with semifinals on July 23 and finals on July 30.

"Teams are eager to get stuck into the season and this is the ideal time for coaches and players to spend time together working on their structures and team culture in what is expected to be a fun and enjoyable day for all including their whanau watching," said Bay of Plenty rugby union women's development officer Lesley Ketu.

Ketu was excited to witness the growth and rise in level of club rugby in the Bay of Plenty.

"When you have had the success of the Bay of Plenty women's sevens side earlier this year and know that a number of these girls will also slip into the 15 aside game it is expected their experience and skill set will lift those around them," she said.

"We are certainly looking forward to seeing this have a positive influence on the standard of women's club rugby as it continues to grow and develop over the season."

Bay of Plenty ruby union operations manager Neil Alton encouraged the community to support the pre-season tournament and upcoming Baywide women's club competition.

"The pre-season tournament is a good day out for whanau and supporters to come out and witness a great day of women's club rugby," he said. "There are some talented women out there and it would be great to see them supported by the community, if it is not this weekend then over the season, they are certainly worth a watch."

Bay of Plenty Women's pre-season tournament:

When: Sunday 11am - 4pm

Where: Whakarewarewa Rugby Football Club, Te Ngae Rd

Cost: $2 for spectators / Free player and coach entry

Tournament draw:

11am: Whakarewarewa v Waimana, field 1/ Waikite v Rotoiti, field 2.

11.40am: Te Whanau Apanui v Rangataua, field 1.

12.20pm: Waikite v Rangiuru, field 1.

1pm: Whakarewarewa v Rangataua, field 1 / Waimana v Te Whanau Apanui, field 2.

1.40pm: Rangiuru v Rotoiti, field 1.

2.40pm: 3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B, field 1 / 2nd Pool A v 2nd Pool B, field 2.

3.20pm: 1st Pool A v 1st Pool B, field 1.

4.30pm: Prize giving in clubrooms