The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union age group coaches, who will mentor the Bay of Plenty Sub-Union teams in the inaugural Chiefs franchise Under 14 and 15 representative competitions, have been announced.

In the Eastern Bay of Plenty Tahi Goddard, Dave Haereroa and Scott Lillas will be in charge of the Under 14 team with Mark Camburn and Dean Oswald coaching the Under 15 side. Steve Simpkins and Bede Murray have been appointed to guide the fortunes of the respective Central (Rotorua) Under 14 and 15 representatives.

Heywood Kuka will mentor the Western Bay Under 14 team with the Under 15 team being coached by Paul Tietjens.

The Chiefs franchise age group competitions have been put in place to give a meaningful representative program for the regions Under 14 and 15 players.

In the Bay of Plenty discussions resulted in a unique partnership being put in place, whereby Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools, the three Bay Sub-Unions and the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union will join forces to implement the Under 14 and 15 representative programs.

The participation of three Sub-Union teams in the representative program will produce a large base of talent for the future.

A team apiece from Thames Valley and King Country, will be joined by the Bay of Plenty representatives and four regional Waikato sides.

The Waikato Union teams have returned to former sub-union regions for the new competition.

Harlequins will be drawn from the Hamilton region, South Waikato youngsters will play under the Tritons banner, with the Corinthians selected from Matamata and Morrinsville.

The two short sharp Mid-North Island age group competitions, will be played during late August and September, culminating with a finals day for both age groups on Saturday, September 29.

BOPRU Sub-Union Age Group Coaches

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Under 14: Tahi Goddard, Dave Harereroa, Scott Lillas,

Under 15: Mark Camburn, Dean Oswald.

Central Bay of Plenty (Rotorua)

Under14: Steve Simpkins.

Under15: Bede Murphy.

Western Bay of Plenty

Under 14: Heywood Kuka.

Under 15: Paul Tietjens

Chiefs Under 15 Competitions

Pool A: Western BOP, King Country, Harlequins (Hamilton) White, Tritons (South Waikato), King Country.

Pool B: Eastern BOP, Central BOP, Harlequins Black, Corinthians (Matamata, Morrinsville).

Chiefs Under 14 Competition format (Crossover Pool Games)

Pool A (Western BOP, Eastern BOP, Harlequins White, Tritons, King Country.

Pool B: Central BOP, Harlequins Black, Corinthians, Thames Valley.