The 2015 Tai Mitchell junior rugby tournament is being held in Whakatane starting today.
The tournament is being held at Rugby Park and will run until Wednesday. The Tai Mitchell tournament began in 1938, and is one of the most important events on the Bay of Plenty junior rugby calendar.
Ten teams will contest the annual Baywide primary school-aged tournament this year, with last year's champions Tauranga West looking to defend their title against Rotorua Maroon, Apanui, Te Puke, Whakatane, Rotorua Gold, Tauranga East, Opotiki, Rangitaiki and Galatea.
The original Tai Mitchell Shield was presented by Henry Taiporutu Mitchell in 1938, for competition among the primary school teams representing the Bay of Plenty Rugby sub-unions. Mitchell was a renowned Rotorua sports administrator and a supporter of all codes.
The tournament doubles as a trial for the Bay of Plenty Roller Mills team, which will represent the province at the northern regional tournament against sides from Northland, Auckland, Thames Valley, King Country, Waikato and North Harbour.
