Rotorua's Selwyn School have won the right to represent the Bay of Plenty at the 2012 Rippa Rugby Championship in Wellington on the September 17 and 18.

Selwyn Schools Rippa Rugby team were victorious in the Bay of Plenty final of the Rippa Rugby regional qualifying tournament earlier this season to qualify for the National Championship.

Teams from Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatane competed in the Bay of Plenty finals. File photo.

The Rotorua team emerged as Baywide Rippa Rugby champions, from the 80 schools that competed in the three regional tournaments in Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatane and the Bay of Plenty Finals day.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers congratulated Selwyn School and says he's looking forward to following their progress at the National Championship.

'We have seen some really great talent and enthusiasm across the Bay of Plenty during the qualifying tournament and I am sure that Selwyn School team will do our region proud.”

The tournament, organised by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), will see twenty teams from throughout New Zealand wear the shirts of their provincial union to compete for the title of 2012 National Rippa Rugby Champions.

Tournament teams are made up of five boys and five girls in Year five and six.

As well as doing battle on the pitch, player will have the opportunity to meet some of their rugby heroes, visit Wellington attractions and experience the media spotlight.

NZRU General Manager Community and Provincial Rugby Buck Anderson says that about 600 primary school teams from throughout New Zealand participated in the qualifying tournament.

'The NZRU is thrilled to support the 2012 Rippa Rugby Championship. Rippa Rugby has really grown in popularity over the last few years with thousands of young boys and girls regularly enjoying the non-contact fun game.”

Rippa Rugby is a safe non-contact form of rugby for primary school age boys and girls, where instead of tackling, players rip velco fastened tags of each other waists.