Team Ko Tauranga are set to host the Bay Open 2017 taekwondo championships this weekend.

The event, which is now in its 11^th year, will be held at the gymnasium at Tauranga Boys' College and has been known to attract entrants from as far as Auckland, to Gisborne and Taranaki.

It will involve a sparring event on Saturday September 2 from 8.30am and a pomsee event from 8am on Sunday.

Team KO founder Master Kesi O'Neill, who has coached and competed at world and Olympic levels, says the weekend is a good foundation for up and coming athletes in taekwondo.

'It is good for emerging athletes whose dream is to represent New Zealand, this is a big step for them,” says Kesi. 'They want to be the next Bruce Lees of New Zealand.”

'The key is to give it a go.”

'The Bay open is the first step before you get up to higher level competitions.”

'We have a national competition in Wellington at the end of September so this is to trial out all the new techniques.”

Athletes from as young as 5 have entered this year's competition, right up to the oldest athlete, a 51-year-old school teacher.

'You see them grow,” says Kesi. 'With my team most of the students I've had have been with me for 6 to 8 years.”

'This sport gives them good discipline, attitude and self-esteem.”

Two Olympic coaches will be attending the event including Andrea Kilday and Verina Wihongi, and handing out medals on the day.

Kesi says the coaches are good role models for the athletes attending the event.

Tickets cost $15 for families (2 adults and 2 children), $5 for spectators and are free for children under 5 years.