Rugby: Tourney doubles as Roller Mills team trials

Mount Maunganui will host this year's Tai Mitchell Tournament, with 10 teams entered for the fixture.

The annual Bay of Plenty-wide tournament for primary-aged players is at Blake Park from July 12-17.

Last year's champions Te Puke will defend the title against Tauranga East, Tauranga West, Rotorua Maroon, Rotorua Gold, Galatea, Rangitaiki, Whakatane, Opotiki and Te Whanau A Apanui.

The tournament doubles as a trial for the Bay of Plenty Roller Mills team, which will represent the province at the northern regional tournament at the end of September.

Bay of Plenty Primary Schools Rugby Football Union secretary Tony Goonan said he was looking forward to the tournament, which had not been held at Blake Park since 1990.

He said attracting new sponsors was pivotal in ensuring the tournament went ahead.

"Our constitution promises a start-up grant of $2000 to the sub-union hosting and it has to come from somewhere," Goonan said.

"We run on a shoe-string budget and if it wasn't for community trusts and generous sponsors, we would find it rather hard to run a tournament [like this]."

Farming Industries Ltd (FIL) is sponsoring the tournament this year.

Bay of Plenty Wasps are also a sponsor and will provide backpacks to each of the players selected for Roller Mills.