Youngsters hit the ground running in provincial battle

Bay of Plenty under-9 touch player Tanekaha Rangi-Mariu dives for the tryline yesterday. Photo / Ben Fraser

The next wave of New Zealand touch players were on display during a huge junior tournament in Rotorua.

About a thousand young touch players attended the Northern Region Junior Inter-Provincial Series at Puarenga Park at the weekend.

It is the highest level of touch on offer for players under the age of 13 in the upper North Island, with players representing their provinces.

A total of 77 provincial teams were entered with each team playing in either the under-9, under-11 or under-13 divisions.

Event co-ordinator Ira Te Kani said organisers were rapt with the success of the tournament and all the feedback had been positive.

She said they went through "bucket loads" of sunblock during the two days of competition, and huge crowds of family members and supporters came out to support the young players.

She said they estimated about 5000 people would have visited Puarenga Park over the weekend.

"We have held the tournament here for the last four years and we have it again next year," Te Kani said.

She said the Rotorua Lakes Council had given them heaps of support and it was great for Rotorua's economy.

Each age group featured a girls, boys and mixed competition. Because of the huge number of teams entered, most divisions also featured an elite grade and development grade.