Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens coach Sean Horan and assistant Steve Miln name wider training squad for coming season

Bay of Plenty's Te Aihe Toma makes a break against Auckland during the plate final at the Bayleys National Sevens at the Rotorua International Stadium in January. Photo / File

Training for the Bay of Plenty men's sevens' season gets under way with a training camp this weekend.

Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens head coach Sean Horan and his assistant coach Steve Miln this week named their wider training squad for the coming sevens season, with 24 players with varied skill and experience selected.

He said he was excited to see how they developed over the coming weeks as they prepared for the season and the TECT National Sevens on December 15 and 16 in Tauranga.

There were some players from the past, a few from the under-19 squad, a couple of new players to the region, "plus there are a couple of exciting young players that are still at school".

The National tournament, established in 1976 and including the women's competition in 1998, will feature 16 men's and 12 women's teams that qualify by competing at three regional tournaments.

The move from Rotorua to Tauranga and the shift from January to December is aimed at boosting the number of top level players.

The Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens wider training squad begin their preparations this weekend with a camp in Ohope.

They will compete in pre-season tournaments in Pukekohe and Thames ahead of the Northern Regional Qualification Tournament in Cambridge on December 1, where they will seek qualification for the National Sevens.

"We're excited about the opportunity that presents itself to the group," Horan said.

"It's great to have the National Sevens based in Tauranga for the first time and hopefully the exposure that the players will get, will help their future progression."

National Sevens tickets are now on sale and are available from Dash Tickets.

Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens Squad:

Hunter Mokomoko, William Warbrick, Will Ngatai, Jordy Stone, Jayjay Seumai, Gordie Lloyd, Etonia Waqa, Taniela Filemoni, Paea Lavaka, Richie Tuvanavou, Elijah Nicholas, Josh Honey, Jonty Wood, Te Aihe Toma, Isaac Te Aute, Vilitati Sabani, Carlos Price, Danyon Morgan-Puterangi, Rewita Biddle, Luther Hirini, Ratu Delasau, Peni Lasaqa, Fritz Rayasi, Te Wehi Wright.

Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens tournaments:

Counties Manukau Sevens

Date: Saturday, November 17

Location: Karaka Rugby Club, Counties Manukau

Thames Valley Sevens

Date: Saturday, November 24

Location: Thames Valley

Northern Region qualification tournament

Date: Saturday, December 1

Location: Memorial Park, Cambridge

National Sevens
Date: Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Location: Tauranga Domain, Tauranga