This year's Bethlehem Coachlines Baywide Secondary Schools Dick Little John competition is kicking off in Te Puna tonight.

The opening match of the competition sees 2016 Division 1 champions Te Whare Kura o Mauao go head to head with Aquinas College under the lights at Maramatanga Park, with kick off at 6pm.

The action then continues on Saturday afternoon with Bethlehem College hosting Opotiki College, Rotorua Boys' High II vs Rotorua Boys' High III at home, and Tauranga Boys' College II travelling to Whakatane to take on Trident High School.

While the Baywide Premier Girls 1st XV competition kicks off with five teams competing for the round one title next Wednesday, May 10.

TWOM v AQUINAS COLLEGE

The goal this season for Te Whare Kura o Mauao is to play an entertaining and attractive brand of rugby, says head coach Heywood Kuka.

He also highlights the importance Te Reo Māori and rugby plays in the development of his team, saying the kura is preparing young men to be contributing citizens using te reo and rugby as a medium.

'‘Kia tū rangatira au i te ao' is Te Wharekura o Mauao's vision statement, which empowers students to stand strong as Māori.

'Our captain Haki Hamilton is the epitome of this, a hard working prop who is uncompromising when it comes to work on and off the field, we will be looking to him to be an example on the field and in the community.”

Kuka says with flanker Taituha Woller combing with Cruise Clark and Te Aparua Tata as loose forwards, this hints towards what kind of game plan they'll be running.

'In the backs we have Jake Gardiner leading the way; he will have the job of directing our young talent such as Kahi Borell and Ngamura Maui who both with Te Aparua Tata will look to push for a Bay of Plenty Under 16 jumper this year.”

This year Aquinas College is again coached by the experienced Kevin Schuler and they have been working hard in the off season preparing a young and committed team for another round of Division One rugby.

Schuler recognises size is no object, and when it comes to his team, culture will be a driver.

'We don't have the biggest team on the field but we are building culture and stamina not to give up and play 70 minutes of rugby.”

BETHLEHEM v OPOTIKI

Bethlehem College's new head coach Andrew Bartrum is looking forward to seeing his side develop over the coming year.

He says 2016 was a good year for Bethlehem College, which finished third in the Bay of Plenty Division 1 competition.

'With a mass exodus of senior players, including BOP U18 Captain Nico Anderweil, BOP U18 MVP Matthew Leppard, and current BOP U19 squad member Liam Morrison, the side is in a rebuilding phase.

'Hard work over the off-season, provided by Inside Running and the Athlete Factory has helped to prepare the side for what should be a fierce Division 1 competition.”

Returning Opotiki College coach James McGough is also pleased with his team's pre-season preparation to date.

'We've got a lot of young boys still but they have talent and guts and know what to expect from Bethlehem. We are looking forward to an awesome game up in Tauranga.”

RBHS II v RBHS III

Rotorua Boys' High School will have two teams in the top division for round one. In a bold move RBHS 2nd XV will remain in the BOP competition instead of pursuing further Super Eight titles which the team won in 2016.

'There is so much mana and recognition in winning the Dick Little John Trophy and holding the Te Kani Shield that we just had to give it a crack this year,” says RBHS coach Craig Hodge.

RBHS 2nd XV will be coached by BOP U16 coach Keiren Botha and will take on their 3rd XV on Saturday in front of what is expected to be a large supportive crowd.

TRIDENT v TAURANGA BOYS' II

Trident High School will host Tauranga Boys 2nd XV in their opening match.

Tauranga Boys College 2nd XV have just returned to the top division and will be coached by Brad Fleming.

'We have a bunch of real good boys who trained real well so I am expecting a good effort on Saturday,” says Fleming.

Trident High School remain the unknown factor with a slow start to the season, but a top four finisher in 2016 makes them a real threat this coming season.

PREMIER GIRLS 1ST XV

Tauranga Girls head coach Jeff Robb will lead his team in their quest to retain their 2016 title and go one better by qualifying for the national 1st XV top four in September.

Meanwhile perennial rivals Rotorua Girls High School coached by Fred Cox and Jimmy McClean are looking to stop that with a strong preseason build up. The teams meet on opening day in Rotorua in what will be the game of the round.

Opotiki College sees the return to the top division and are also bolstered by the return of Herbie Teddy for the 2017 season. A young team full of keen and talented girls they could be the team to cause upsets.

Opotiki College take on Whakatane High School coached by Ben Sexton which should prove an even match with the two young teams.

DIVISION 1 FIXTURES:

FRIDAY, MAY 5 – Kick off 6pm

• TWOM v Aquinas College at Maramatanga Park, Te Puna

SATURDAY, MAY 6 - Kick off 12pm

• Bethlehem College v Opotiki College
• Rotorua Boys' High School II v Rotorua Boys' High School III
• Trident High School v Tauranga Boys College II

For the 2017 Bethlehem Coachlines Baywide Secondary Schools Rugby full draws and weekly results, visit www.boprugby.co.nz