The proud Bay of Plenty connection with the All Blacks Sevens continues with yet another Bay product named in the initial training squad for the upcoming World Sevens Series.

All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens this week named the first 19-man training squad of the new season, as he looks to build a strong squad ahead of the opening leg of the 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series next month.

Sam Gavigan in action for Southern in the Dunedin Premier Rugby competition. Photo: Caswell Images

The initial squad includes 13 players who were part of the successful All Blacks Sevens team that lifted both the 2012/13 World Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow this year.

Among the six fresh new faces for the week long Mount Maunganui camp starting September 30 is Mount Maunganui's Sam Gavigan selected after an impressive first season in the Bayfair Baywide premier rugby competition.

Gavigan returned to the Bay of Plenty after five years studying at the University of Otago where he captained the Southern side. Plying his trade for the Mounties this season the loose forward is currently extending his good form with the Bay of Plenty development side.

Along with Gavigan, Southland speedster Gareth Williams-Spiers, Wellington's Ambrose Curtis and Kali Hala from Auckland have all been added.

A number of players are unavailable after choosing to focus on fifteens. This includes Kurt Baker, who has signed with the Highlanders, and Ben Lam, also unavailable as he continues to recover from injury.

Sir Titch says the squad is a pleasing mix of experience and exciting new talent.

'The start of any season is a time when we rebuild, but I am really happy to have a core group of players who have served the team well over the last season so we start from a great base,” says Sir Titch.

'I have also brought into the squad a number of young players who have caught my eye and this will be a good opportunity for them to get a feel for our training environment and work hard for possible selection.

'We are really excited about the season ahead, building up to the Commonwealth Games next July so it will be great to get back on the pitch again and get our preparations firmly underway.”

Following the camp, the squad will be whittled down to 12 for the first tournament of the 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series at Skilled Park, Gold Coast on October 12 and 13.

The squad assembles in Mount Maunganui on Monday, September 30.

Squad:

Tomasi Cama (Manawatu)

Scott Curry

Ambrose Curtis (Wellington)

Sam Dickson (Canterbury)

DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)

Sam Gavigan (Bay of Plenty)

Kali Hala (Auckland)

Mark Jackman (Canterbury)

Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay)

Rocky Khan (Auckland)

Luke Masiwera (Waikato)

Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)

Kara Pryor (Auckland)

Lote Raikabula (Wellington)

Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau)

Rob Thompson (Canterbury)

Belgium Tuatagaloa (Canterbury)

Joe Webber (Waikato)

Gareth Williams-Spiers (Southland)