Rotoiti's Arapo Whata runs the ball during the Rotorua Banner final against Ngongotaha at Rotorua International Stadium. Photo / Ben Fraser
Rotoiti's Arapo Whata runs the ball during the Rotorua Banner final against Ngongotaha at Rotorua International Stadium. Photo / Ben Fraser
Lace up your boots, strap on your head gear and chuck in a mouth guard, it's rugby season.
The 2018 Baywide club rugby competition kicks off today and there are three teams representing Rotorua in the Premier grade - Rotoiti, Whakarewarewa and Ngongotaha.
Waikite, Marist St Michael's and Kahukura will play in Division 1.
Ngongotaha started 2017 in Division 1, where they won all 11 games to ensure they played the second phase of the competition in Premier 2. They finished in the top four of the Premier 2 round-robin to earn promotion to the premier competition for this season.
They start their Premier campaign at home against 2017 Premier 2 champions Arataki.
"With that we have retained the bulk of last year's squad and management team so we are looking to build on the momentum that we generated in last year's very successful season. The club is excited for what the future holds, as we have a number of young guys fresh out of high school to represent our development side," Wharekura said.
Beaten 2017 grand finalists Rotoiti will be desperate to go one better this year and start their season against Te Puna away. Te Puna finished seventh in Premier 1 last season.
Rotoiti wasted no time getting back into the swing of things in pre-season, producing comprehensive wins over Kahukura, Waikite and Ngongotaha to claim the Rotorua Banner and retain the Tai Mitchell Shield.
Rotoiti coach Richard Francis said: "After finishing as runners-up in last year's Baywide competition we have retained most of last year's squad. We have had a good pre-season with positive performances in the Banner round, which puts us in good stead for the 2018 competition."
WHAT JERSEY WILL TAKE IT OUT THIS YEAR? | The 2018 Baywide club rugby competition kicks off across the Bay this Saturday!
Baywide Premier Club Rugby Draw:
Saturday 24 March
Premier Kick-off: 2.45pm
Development Kick-off: 1.00pm
Ngongotaha v Arataki at Ngongotaha Domain
Te Puna v Rotoiti at Maramatanga Park
Rangataua v Tauranga Sports at Te Ariki Park
Whakatane Marist v Whakarewarewa at Rugby Park
Mount Maunganui Sports v Paroa at Blake Park
Greerton Marist v Te Puke Sports at Greerton Park
Baywide Division One Draw:
Saturday 24 March
Kick-off: 2.45pm
Papamoa v Ruatoki at Gordon Spratt Reserve
Waimana v Te Teko at Waimana Domain
Waikite v Marist St Michael’s at Bellvue Road
Poroporo v Kahukura at Poroporo Domain
Opotiki v Murupara at Princess Street Reserve
Rangiuru v Judea at Centennial Park
WEEK 1 TEAM LISTS: http://bit.ly/2ILpSvk
SEASON DRAW: http://bit.ly/2prOBN5
#ClubRugby #BayWide #BayPride #TeManaOToi
Whakarewarewa won five of 11 games in the first round of the Premier division last year to book a spot in Premier 1. That is where the struggles started, however, as they lost six and drew one to finish last in the top grade. Their first game is against Whakatane Marist away.
Whakarewarewa coach Joe Savage will this year be joined by Peter Smith, also known as Boxer, at the helm.
The coaching combination will be looking for their side to rebuild on last year's performance and secure their position in the top eight for the second round of the competition.
Smith said: "We are both proud and happy to be in the Premier division. We have a number of young fellas that we are looking to develop this year. So development will be a key focus alongside building a good team culture and team environment to get the best out of the boys.
"We have a few experienced boys so we are hoping to get the balance between the keen young fellas that are coming through and our experienced players. We are looking forward to the challenge and the season ahead nevertheless."
Whakarewarewa's Ryubyn Vaipo is tackled during a game against Tauranga Sports last season. Photo / File
In Division 1, Waikite take on Marist St Michael's at home in what should be a cracking local derby to start the season. Last year Waikite finished fifth in Premier 2, missing out on a 2018 Premier spot by just two points, while Marist St Michael's were last with one win from seven games.
Kahukura enjoyed a run of four consecutive wins late in 2017, to book a spot in the Division 1 semifinals where they lost 15-10 to Te Teko. They start 2018 against Poroporo away.
Baywide Premier Rugby Draw Saturday Premier kick-off: 2.45pm Development kick-off: 1pm
Ngongotaha v Arataki at Ngongotaha Domain Te Puna v Rotoiti at Maramatanga Park Rangataua v Tauranga Sports at Te Ariki Park Whakatane Marist v Whakarewarewa at Rugby Park Mount Maunganui Sports v Paroa at Blake Park Greerton Marist v Te Puke Sports at Greerton Park
Baywide Division One Draw: Saturday Kick-off: 2.45pm
Papamoa v Ruatoki at Gordon Spratt Reserve Waimana v Te Teko at Waimana Domain Waikite v Marist St Michael's at Bellvue Road Poroporo v Kahukura at Poroporo Domain Opotiki v Murupara at Princess Street Reserve Rangiuru v Judea at Centennial Park
