Such is the wealth of under 16 talent in the Bay of Plenty that two Bay sides will play in this year's Northern Region under 16 competition.

Along with the regular Under 16 team, a Bay under 16 Development side will play.

The real benefit to Bay of Plenty rugby, is the large number of youngsters that have been identified in the Future Steamers” network.

This season a wider talent identification program has been put in place and has been overseen by Steamers Coaches Kevin Schuler and John Walters, along with BOPRU Player development manager Dean Jennings.

The aim is to develop home grown Steamers from an upgraded player pathway.

Brendon Webby and Allan Pike will coach the Bay of Plenty Under 16 team, with Charles Williams and Andy Bartrum in charge of the Development representatives.

Warm-up games for both teams will take place on August 25, 2012, with the two Northern Region competition campaigns kicking off on September 1.

One encounter that will attract a large crowd will be when the two Bay of Plenty under 16 teams go head to head on September 15 in the Western Bay of Plenty.

BOPRU Under 16 Representative Team

Forwards: Leighton Hika, Devin Church, Tiwara Kuka, Dylan Donne, Jonty McCool (Tauranga BC) Kerry Power (Reporoa College) Manual Manual (Trident HS) Alex Crapp (Katikati College) Sam Redmayne Matt Ensor (Otumoetai College) Tiaki Harrison, Jade Honeycombe (Rotorua BHS) Ben Webby (JPC) Paora Tipene (Mount Maunganui College)

Backs: Damian Darlington, Jayden Savage, Shayde Perham, Issac Te Aute, Kaine Lewis (Rotorua BHS) Daniel Puschart (Mount Maunganui College) Resden Hirama, Hamish Sykes, Christian Kelly, Connor Fifita, Burton McAdam (Tauranga BC) Decovan Taufoti (Trident HS)

Head Coach: Brendon Webby Asst Coach: Allan Pike

BOPRU Under 16 Development Team

Forwards: Hunter Anderson, Ben Noakes Grayson Kite (Tauranga BC) Dylan Mathews, Mitchell Pikia, Wiremu Tane (Mount Maunganui College) Ben McDell (Reporoa College) Jessie Williams (Rotorua BHS) Josh Kingsford (Otumoetai College) Scott Mathis (JPC) Brad Collier (Trident HS) Chris Finlayson, Thomas Allen (Bethlehem College) Trent Harris

Backs: Cam Gerlach, Chris Johnson (Bethlehem College) David Irwin (Otumoetai College) Rikihana Borrell (Te Puna RC) Bailey Honeycombe Wero Riki (Reporoa College) Bill Carter, Pomare Tane, Josh Lasenby (Mount Maunganui College) Dion Havea (Rotorua BHS) Jade Murray (Tauranga BC) Dallas Parker, Will Gandy (Whakatane HS)

Head Coach: Charles Williams Asst Coach: Andy Bartrum

BOPRU Under 16 Northern Regional Competition Program (Home team first)

Pre-Season

25 August: BOP U16 v Hawkes Bay, BOP U16 Development v tbc (both games in Taupo)

Northern Region Competition

1^st September: North Harbour v BOP U16, Waikato v BOP U16 Development

8^th September: BOP U16 v Counties Manukau, BOP U16 Development v North Harbour

15^th September: BOP U16 v BOP U16 Development

22nd September: Waikato v BOP U16

25th September: BOP U16 Development v Thames Valley

29^th September: Thames Valley v BOP U16, Counties Manukau v BOP U16