Rugby: Selwyn kids team are our little Rippas

Selwyn School will carry the flag for the Bay of Plenty in this year's National Rippa RWC tournament.

The Year 5 & 6 division champions have won the right to represent the region in Wellington after taking out the EastPack Rippa Rugby Baywide championships at Paengaroa Domain last week.

The champs were the culmination of three regional tournaments with 76 schools participating and about 1500 kids taking part.

The winner of the Baywide Year 5 and 6 tournament qualified to represent the Bay.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union operation manager Neil Alton said the highly successful tournament, sponsored by Te Puke-based EastPack, had given boys and girls the opportunity to take their first steps into a fantastic sport of rugby.

"We have seen some fantastic talent in the last three tournaments and with sevens rugby now being an Olympic sport this type of tournament could be a precursor to a future Olympian for all we know," said Alton.

He said it was great to have the likes of EastPack involved in the tournament.

EastPack general manager Matt Hill said the company, who have sponsored the Bay of Plenty Steamers, saw the tournament as a great opportunity to get behind the young rugby stars of the future.

"EastPack are pleased to support another worth while community event in the Bay of Plenty.

"It is great to see kids having such a great time participating in the EastPack Rippa Rugby tournament," Hill said.

"With another successful kiwifruit harvest season almost complete, the EastPack team are again looking forward to getting in behind the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Selwyn School principal Peter Barker said the school was proud of the team.

"Extremely proud of them. They are a part of our sports academy, which identified a number of kids with sporting talent.

"Glen Phipps is our coach and a member of staff.

"He is pretty passionate about sport."

Barker said Phipps will be working hard to ensure the team will be ready to head down to Wellington to do the school and Bay of Plenty proud.