The development of the Bay of Plenty Women's Sevens Rugby takes another significant step forward on Sunday, when a Bay of Plenty women's sevens team, competes in the Northern Region Sevens tournament in Auckland.

The entrance of Women's Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Olympics in Rio has become the catalyst for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union revitalised focus on the women's game in the Bay of Plenty.

Attendance of the Bay women's team at the Go4Gold Northern Region tournament follows on from the initial identification of women from within and outside rugby at the start of the rugby season.

From the identification days held throughout the Bay, there has been an on-going series of skills and training camps, which have culminated in the Bay side attending the regional tournament on Sunday.

With head coach Kevin Lee unavailable to travel to Auckland, the Bay side will be mentored at the Auckland tournament by assistant coach David Mays.

'The success of the Bay unions talent identification days earlier in the season is shown by the sporting backgrounds of the 12 team members that will attend the Auckland tournament. 'There are three team members with a netball background, along with two touch players and one each that have made the transition from basketball and athletics respectively,” says David.

The Bay of Plenty team have drawn a tough section with Auckland A and Waikato as their opponents.

The other pool sees Auckland B, Counties Manukau, Northland and North Harbour chasing the tournament title.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Women's Sevens Team: Calli Turner, Gemma Pearson (Mount Maunganui) Noi Kurei, Lauralee Hillman (Opotiki) Dolly Vercoe-Roberts (Ngataha), Mika Tuilave Charteris (Papamoa) Stacy Waaka, Lucy Potter, Ryleigh Hayes (Whakatane), Hana Tapiata (Rotorua) Kendra Reynolds (Tauranga) Lavina Gould (Kawerau/Gold Coast).

Northern Region Women's Sevens Tournament at College Rifles Rugby Club Auckland Sunday, August 19

Pool A: Auckland B, Counties Manukau, Northland, North Harbour

Pool B: Auckland A Waikato, Bay of Plenty