The Western Bay of Plenty Rugby sub-union senior representative team is making a return to provincial representative rugby after several years' absence.

A decade ago, the Western Bay was at the forefront of the Peace Cup competition.

However, with the decline of competition in the long time Auckland competition, the Western Bay sub-union confined its annual representative forays to Te Hurinui Apanui Shield matches against Eastern Bay and Central (Rotorua) sub-union teams.

Last season, a new regional competition, named after one of the countries most decorated All Blacks' forwards, was put in place.

The Stan Meads Cup saw a competition established between the Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Central sub-unions along with the King Country and Thames Valley development sides.

At a meeting in March, Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty sub-unions joined the Stan Meads Cup competition for the 2012 season, with Morrinsville later confirming a place in the regional competition.

In order to ensure the Peace Cup didn't become another lost symbol of former rugby glory, the cup has been given to the Stan Meads competition as a challenge trophy.

Western Bay is leaving no stone unturned in order to again become a force in regional representative rugby.

Te Puna premier head coach Vaughan Bidois has been appointed to lead the Western Bay 2012 Stan Meads campaign and he will be assisted by Murray Ririnui as his assistant coach. A quality administration and physio team have been appointed which will give the coaching staff a full arsenal of support personnel.

The Western Bay rugby clubs are currently being canvassed to put forward players in their ranks that they believe are capable of making the step up to representative rugby.

Play will be in two pools with the Western Bay team competition against Hamilton, Piako and King Country development sides, with Eastern Bay of Plenty, Central, Te Awamutu and Thames Valley development teams on the other side of the draw.

The Western Bay team will open its Stan Meads Cup competition against Hamilton in the Waikato, before hosting Morrinsville and King Country Development in the Western Bay.

Western Bay of Plenty rugby sub-union Stan Meads Cup programme:

18^th August v Hamilton @ Hamilton

25^th August v Piako @ Maramatanga Park

1^st September v King Country Development @ Greerton Park

8^th September Playoffs – venue to be advised

15^th September Finals Day – venue to be advised