Bay of Plenty's finest female rugby players are set to clash over the coming months in a seven week round robin competition.

This year will see the introduction of three new teams Ngongotaha, Tauranga Sports and Tokoroa joining the returning five teams who have entered this year's competition.

Photo: File.

The competition made up of eight teams in total two from the Eastern Bay (Te Whanau Apanui and Waimana), three from the Central Bay (Rotoiti, Waikite and Ngongotaha), two from the Western Bay (Arataki and Tauranga Sports) and Tokoroa from Waikato.

This year's, competition will start on May 3 following the Women's pre-season tournament held at Waikite this weekend.

The tournament will not only see all eight teams compete but a one hour coaching session will take place, led by Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's Steamers assistant coach and coach development manager Rodney Gibbs.

Arataki's Calli Turner says the side is really looking forward to kicking off the Women's Rugby Baywide season for the third year running.

'We're very excited about the pre-season tournament this weekend; it's great to have several new teams Ngongotaha, Tauranga Sports and Tokoroa in the competition so looking forward to see what they bring.”

'Arataki will be defending our Baywide title this year, we had a tough final against Waikite last year and it's always a big game when we play them. We've lost a few of our senior players but have several exciting new players so this tournament will be a good gauge to see how all teams measure up.”

Waikite's Eliza Stephens comments on the importance for Waikite hosting the pre-season tournament.

'It means a lot to our club and our people. The pre-season tournament is a great promotion for women's Rugby and Waikite's club facilities.

Women's Rugby receives a lot of support from our whanau, committee and men's teams at Waikite, which is much appreciated”.

The teams will play weekly on a Sunday, with their first Baywide competition game Sunday May 3.