Fifteens may have ended for the season but club rugby teams are now into the swing of things with sevens.

This weekend there will be an Eastern Bay Sevens Tournament held at Whakatāne’s Rugby Park, featuring 12 men’s teams from across the Bay of Plenty and eight women’s teams.

The event will feature some of the top players from the Eastern Bay and there should be plenty of action to keep the fans entertained throughout the day.

Whakatāne Marist is running the day and club president Matt Te Pou said it should be a good day out.

“There will be some good action on display.”

He said it was pleasing to get a good number of teams taking part in the first tournament of the season.

“All the premier teams from the Eastern Bay have entered teams. It’s going to be a good event.

“We are pleased with the numbers to have 12 men's teams and eight women’s teams showing an appetite for the game in our area.”

He said they welcomed the visiting teams to taking part.

“We are hosting the first of what will be three tournaments throughout the Bay.”

Ōpōtiki, who were outstanding at club level in the Eastern Bay will be hoping to unleash a few of their speedsters like Braeden Elmiger, Tamarau Karepa and a few others.

Whakatāne Marist will have some Fijian flair that will see them as an opponents people will want to avoid.

Paroa will be hoping the Wharewera brothers can show off their touch background and put players like Rihari Biddle in plenty of space.

Poroporo will be dangerous with whoever they put on the park, while Rūātoki have Neelan Wrea-Cook and Reuben Pouwhare, two of the best attacking players in the Eastern Bay to work with.

Tāneatua have some good talent, while Te Teko are always strong in the shorter format.

Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui, Judea, Rangataua and Ngongotahā are the visiting teams in the men’s format, while in the eight team ladies division their are two Poroporo teams and an Ōpōtiki women’s side, along with Rūātoki, while the four visiting teams are Whakarewarewa, Rangataua, Ngongotahā and an invitational side.

Poroporo have been learning from the Paul siblings Mahina and Mererangi, both of whom have played rugby at international level.

Expect the four Eastern Bay women’s team to pack plenty of power and pace.

Action kicks off at 8.40am on Saturday, November 1.