"We've been training for the last three months. The boys have been working really hard."
Needing to quash the threat of Waihi College first up on Saturday, Whangarei BHS's open team will then have to repel the might of Gisborne BHS - a traditionally strong rugby school - if they're to qualify top of their pool.
"We're feeling pretty confident that we can go through ... you just need one or two things to go your way and you're in with a sniff, that's the way it is with sevens," Darkins said.
Meanwhile, the under-15s have an ideal draw, coming up against Francis Douglas Memorial College, Mt Roskill Grammar School and Howick College in their pool matches tomorrow.
Praising the efforts of his assistant coach Jason Hanna, Darkins said "we're all organised and sorted, and the boys are chomping at the bit".
"Judah [Andrews], Euan [Sapwell] and Mitchell Dean... those guys are going to be big for us, but we're going to need a big team effort. We've definitely got the talent in there, we've just got to do the business really."
For the first time ever almost 70 schools will compete over the three days.
Tomorrow the North Island U15 Sevens Competition will take place, followed by the boys' and girls' open competition on Saturday and Sunday.
Live Coverage of the open boys' finals day will screen on Sky Sport's Rugby Channel from 12pm on Sunday.
Defending champions Hamilton GHS and Rotorua BHS will be out to defend their titles in what promises to be another competitive tournament and many of the stars of tomorrow will be showcasing their skills as sevens rugby gears up for the sport's first inclusion in the Olympics next year in Rio.
