Bay of Plenty Secondary School Girls' Under-18 rugby coach Jimi McLean has a simple philosophy for the game: 'rugby is a game about running”.

And that's what those trialling for the team are starting to find out.

File Photo.

Today the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union announced their wider training squad for the 2016 season.

Jimi had his squad running through their paces last night in Rotorua and as you might expect from a guy who has a philosophy which has the two ‘R' words (rugby and running) in it. There was plenty of running involved.

The coach has enlisted running coach Mark Edmonds into his coaching staff. Edmonds has helped a number of All Blacks and Sevens stars in his time. They include guys like Caleb Ralph and Liam Meesam to name a few.

Jimi says while he has a physically strong team on paper strength was nothing if you couldn't get to the ball fast enough.

'It's simple, it's about how to run properly. Rugby's a game about running. You need your strength base and all that stuff. You need to be strong but hey, you need to get there in the first place to be able to use that strength.”

The coach says he has selected a good mixture of experience and youth in his side for the upcoming season.

'We've got 20 girls backing up from last year and a lot of the new ones are Year-9 and 10 girls. So we just want to keep the base there and keep it strong.”

Jimi says the coaching staff are pleased with the girls chosen for this year and will look to name his final squad on August 22.

The team have their first competition match against Waikato on the first weekend of September.

The Bay of Plenty Secondary School Girls' Under-18 Squad:

John Paul College
Julia Florence

Opotiki College
Erika Hepi
Leah Wilson

Rerekohu
Kendle Martin
Tawa Kawakawa

Rotorua Girls High School
Jordyn Tereu
Judaea Newton Te Riini
Makaarini Nelson
Patrice Te Aho
Te Aomihi Paul

Ruatoki
Anarea Tawhai

Taupo nui-a-Tia
Hinearo Wall
Illy Lolaka
Ora Williams
Tiana Foua

Tauranga Girls College
Angel Mulu
Hinemokai Grey
Holly Topp
Minardi Daniel
Pia Devon
Rose Togatogarua
Sela Moataanne
Siobhan Stumpp

Te Puke High School
Braxton Walker
Jay Leigh Tamati
Kororia Heybloom
Parekura Whareaorere (TBC, Volcanix Squad)
Rawinia Luka

Te Whare kura o Mauao
Merita Warren

Trident High School
Layla Te Riini
Tynealle Fitzgerald

TWNMOW
Chauntique Ranapia

Not attending school:
Helena Coughlan
Sapphire Tapsell (TBC, Volcanix Squad)
Summer Tai Rakena

Coaching Team:
Jimi McLean
Fred Cox
Richard (Digger) Wilson

Trainer:
Mark Edmonds

Manager:
Tamielle Monk