Community Rugby Sevens is back this year, including the introduction of a brand new tournament.

This November, four Seven's tournaments will be held at Paengaroa Domain, including the Baywide Secondary School Girls, Baywide Secondary School Boys, Baywide Senior Club, and the new Baywide Youth Club tournament.

The new tournament is aimed at secondary school-aged kids who are currently playing for their secondary school and allows them to go back and play for their Junior rugby clubs.

The Youth Club Seven's initiative hopes to re-establish the link between secondary school players and their junior club so that when they eventually leave school, they can seamlessly go back into the senior club environment. 

"With the launch of the Youth Club Seven's tournament, we are providing new opportunities for our teenage rugby players within the Bay of Plenty by enabling them to go back and play for their Junior clubs," says Bay of Plenty Rugby Community Capability Manager Lisa Appert.

Rangataua Rugby Delegate Brad Ririnui says that the new tournament is a massive opportunity for clubs.

 "This is a huge opportunity for our club in keeping a connection with our Rangatahi. Typically, they play Junior rugby for their clubs for eight years, then they are out of sight for five years while they attend college," says Ririnui.

"We are excited because this new tournament set in place by the BOPRU will help our club bind and mentor these young ones as they make their way through college, with the hope that when they leave, we are still their first thought to winter sports. 

"It's quite challenging out there at the moment to obtain and encourage new, younger players into senior-level rugby. This is a great pathway to help Rangataua and all Bay of Plenty rugby clubs."

 The Baywide Club Seven's tournament is the largest Seven's event in the Bay, where all senior clubs are invited to come together and compete for their prospective titles.

With eight grades across the men's and women's (Premier, Te Manawa Whenua, Tight 5, Colts, Over 35) divisions, clubs have plenty of opportunities to get involved for what will be a fantastic day of rugby.

Clubs or Schools wanting to enter teams into their respective divisions can do so online at boprugby.co.nz/sevens, while players aged 12-18 who want to be involved in the Baywide Youth Sevens Tournament can contact their Junior Club Delegate to find out more information. 

2021 BAYWIDE SEVEN'S TOURNAMENT DETAILS 

-Baywide Secondary School Girls 7's (U15's & U19's) Wednesday, November 3 – Entries close Monday, October 25, Baywide Secondary School Boys 7's (U14's, U16's & U19's) Saturday 6th November 2021 - Entries close Monday, October 25.

-Baywide Senior Club 7's (Premier Men's, Premier Women's, Te Manawa Whenua Men's, Te Mana Whenua Womens, Tight Five Mens, Tight 5 Women's, Colts, Over 35's) Saturday, November 13 – Entries close Monday, November 1.

-Baywide Youth Club 7's (U14's, U16's & U18's) Saturday, November 20 – Entries close Monday, November 8.