In recent seasons a strong Western Bay of Plenty competition has complemented the BOPRU Baywide Premier and Division One Rugby Championships.

The Seeka KI Western BOP Championship kicking off today provides plenty of stiff competition for a number of clubs with Baywide aspirations and competitive rugby for club second XVs.

Katikati, which returned to Bay of Plenty competition three season ago after a spell in Thames Valley, provides evidence of a Western Bay competition team's progression in the Baywide ranks.

On Saturday, Katikati plays Greerton Marist in its return to Baywide rugby. A match-up that is likely to attract a large crowd will take place at Paengaroa Domain, where Eastern Districts will start its 50th Year Celebrations with a match against long time local rivals Te Puke Sports.

In a new initiative the Hardy Rosebowl will be on the line each week as a Western BOP Challenge trophy to give the local competition an extra edge during the season.

Judea, which will start the competition with the long time Western BOP prize, will put the Rosebowl on the line when they travel to play Matakana Island.

The Mount Maunganui second team, which has been one of the heavyweights of the Western Bay competition in recent years, will be at home at Blake Park to the new Katikati seconds.

Te Puna and Rangataua will play the curtain raiser at Maramatanga Park to there Premier sides, Papamoa will meet Rangiuru at Gordon Spratt Reserve, with Greerton Marist and Arataki squaring off at Greerton Park.

Seeka KI Western BOP (1pm unless stated) March 26

Eastern Districts v Te Puke Sports, Paengaroa Domain (2.45pm) Matakana Island v Judea, Matakana Island; Greerton Marist v Arataki, Greerton Park; Te Puna v Rangataua, Maramatanga Park; Mount Maunganui v Katikati, Blake Park; Papamoa v Rangiuru, Gordon Spratt Reserve (2.45pm) Tauranga Sports' the bye.