Following on from the hugely successful Emirates Sevens Festival at Blake Park during the weekend legendary New Zealand Rugby 7's coach Gordon Tietjens has been honoured at the TECT Arena.

In front of Gordon's family, contemporaries from his playing days and former and current New Zealand 7's stars, who had come together for the Emirates Sevens Festival, Gordon received the Key to Tauranga City.

New Zealand Rugby 7's coach Gordon Tietjens has been given a Key to the City.

The Key to the City was presented to Gordon by Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby.

In another rare recognition of Gordon's achievements, the number one field at Blake Park has been renamed the Gordon Tietjens Field.

Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby said that it was appropriate to acknowledge Gordon in this manner.

'While his contribution to rugby and in particular in the 7's game internationally is yet complete, the Key to the City and the naming of the field in his name, are a testament to Gordon's coaching success and his passion for the game.”

The respect and admiration for Gordon, saw Emirates President Group Services manager Gary Chapman, fly all the way from Dubai for the tribute to the 7's coaching maestro.

Gary, who was born in Papatoetoe in Auckland, is a long time supporter of rugby 7's and has a friendship with Gordon that spans the years. On behalf of Emirates, Gary presented Gordon with a pictorial book entitled Tribute to a Legend, which showcased Gordon's love of the 7's game over the decades.

Earlier in the day a crowd of several thousand, flocked to Blake Park to watch and later mingle with the past and present 7's stars, as the Emirates New Zealand All Stars took on the Bay of Plenty Dream Team.

One legend who signed autographs and posed for photographs long after the other players has left the field, was Eric Rush.

The long-time 7's superstar showed that he had lost few of his silky skills during the main attraction at the Emirates Sevens Festival.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers said 'the whole day was fantastic! It was great that so many of Titch's past players showed the admiration they have for him by coming from far and wide to not only attend the dinner, but also pull the boots on and entertain the public with a celebration of seven's rugby”.

'The secondary school training camp and games beforehand showed Titch's legacy in the region and I'm so pleased that with Emirates and his colleagues at Bay Engineers Supplies, we were able to pay tribute to a man who has achieved so much for rugby, not only in our community but on a global stage”.

The evening of presentations to Gordon, brought down the curtain on a wonderful celebration of 7's rugby and the huge part that Gordon Tietjens has played in the games development, to where 7's Rugby will make its Olympic debut in Rio in 2016.

MC Scotty Stevenson with Gordon Tietjens at the TECT Arena at Baypark.