It's rugby mayhem. But it's also a very positive indication of the health of our national game at the grassroots level.

A dozen or so junior grade rugby teams – under 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s - involving many more dozens of budding Steamers or All Blacks, all playing at one venue – the Tauranga Rugby and Sports Club at a very autumnal domain on Cameron Road.

The main ground can't be used because the new all-weather athletic track is being installed. So all the junior games are being played on two fields at the back of the domain – with a combination of half field and full field games, back to back for two hours. That's lot of rugby.

'First games of the season for our juniors and then we have all three senior teams are playing at home,” says Senior Club Manager, Bevan Jackson. The first games started at 9.50 this morning.

Dedicated fanclub watches from the sidelines.

The emphasis this week is growing our club culture and getting our academy and senior premiere players involved in the junior games. 'When the kids see the senior guys fronting up to watch them, they think it's amazing. All part of growing the club culture.” The vision of the club is to hold more days where all teams are at home and create more interaction between the grades.

'We are striving to grow the club's footprint in the community as a club for all ages with a big emphasis on families.'

'Steamie”, the Steamers mascot was at the domain for photos with the kids. There was prizes from BOP Rugby for players of the day, there was the statutory sausage sizzle, bar and a coffee cart.

Tauranga Sports Premiers and Development teams take on Rotoiti this afternoon with the main game kicking off at 2.45pm. Tauranga Sports Premiers are two from two so far this season.