This year is the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's centenary and one of the projects undertaken to commemorate this is the creation of a unique rugby jersey.

On this jersey the name of all 1159 players to have worn the blue and gold of the province at the top level are written.

The commemorative rugby jersey featuring the names of all first division rugby players to wear the Bay's blue and gold.

BOPRU historian Brent Drabble has undertaken this task over the last decade; tracing and recording all the players who have pulled on the Bay of Plenty jersey in first class fixtures, over the last 100 years.

The names include every player, whether as a substitute that was on the field of play for a minute, through to Greg Rowlands, who wore the blue and gold uniform on a record 161 occasions.

The maxim behind the centennial jersey is that this provincial team is bigger than the individuals, but is greater than the sum of its parts.

The honour of the first Bay of Plenty player was given to Rongo Nuku with number 1159 being Luke Katene, who made his Steamers debut last season.

BOPRU chairman Bruce Cameron is number 722.

'The Bay union has a strong and proud history and I know as a former player that this recognition will be very well received by the players, their families, clubs and communities that they represented when they pulled on the Bay jersey,” says Bruce.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has been the controlling force of rugby in schools, communities and preparing teams to represent the region from Te Whanau Apanui, Opotiki, Whakatane, Rangitaiki, Galatea, Rotorua, Te Puke and Tauranga since 1911.

BOPRU CEO Mike Rogers says the first of its kind project for a major rugby union in New Zealand is appropriate for a centenary.

'We are delighted to be able to recognise our former players in this unique way,” says Mike.

'The players who have represented the Bay have done so with a tremendous amount of pride and we are proud to be able to highlight them as part of this year's jersey in our centenary year.”

There are many events and functions during the season to commemorate the centenary, which culminates with the official centenary celebrations to be held in Rotorua, August 12-14.

The centenary jersey will be on display there.

All the updated information on the centennial celebrations are at www.boprugby.co.nz