Ōpōtiki is preparing to welcome the Bay of Plenty’s best young rugby talent as the prestigious Tai Mitchell Primary Schools Rugby Tournament gets under way today.

The tournament has returned to Ōpōtiki for the first time in a decade, with 19 teams from across the Bay of Plenty competing over four-and-a-half days.

Alongside the traditional boys’ competition, the girls’ 10-a-side tournament continues to grow in strength after being introduced in 2021.

Nine girls’ teams will take the field this year, highlighting the rapid growth of the women’s game at primary school level.

Whakatāne boys coach Mark Pouwhare said his side might lack size but would make up for it with determination.

“We’re probably a smaller team this year, but we’ve got plenty of fight,” he said.

“Our pre-season has gone well and the boys are excited to test themselves against different teams from around the Bay.”

The Whakatāne girls also boast plenty of talent, while the Rangitāiki Girls shape as one of the teams to watch. Having played together throughout the Eastern Bay JAB season, their combinations and experience make them a dangerous opponent.

With Tauranga East unable to enter a girls’ team this year, Galatea have come to the party and entered one.

As expected, the Rangitaiki boys’ will again be competitive, while Galatea vary each year, although this year they’ll be hoping to surprise.

Tai Mitchell president Rawiri Wihapi said the committee was thrilled to bring the tournament back to Ōpōtiki.

“We’re excited to be back in Ōpōtiki and look forward to seeing the outstanding talent on display across both the boys’ and girls’ competitions,” he said.

Ōpōtiki boys’ captain Ty Collier said it was special to be playing at home.

“Very excited for it to be at home. We haven’t had it here for years. The boys are pumped for this week.”

Manager Ngaio Paruru said the team had put in plenty of hard work with the hope of doing well at home.

“Every year our boys look forward to the week long tournament and putting on our tracksuits to represent our whānau, our iwi and our rohe. Excitement to run out, specially in our hometown, is why we turn up to training, and it’s always a battle to stay under the 53kgs. We are most definitely excited.”

First played in 1938, the Tai Mitchell Tournament has become one of New Zealand’s most prestigious primary school rugby events. Named after respected Rotorua sports administrator Henry Taiporutu Mitchell, the tournament has provided a pathway for thousands of young players over nearly nine decades.

An estimated 20,000 boys have competed in the tournament since its inception, while almost 1000 girls have taken part since the introduction of the girls’ competition. Many players have gone on to represent Bay of Plenty at representative level, with the tournament continuing to play an important role in developing the region’s next generation of rugby talent.

This year’s tournament features teams representing Tauranga East, Tauranga West, Tauranga North, Te Puke, Rangitāiki, Whakatāne, Galatea, Ōpōtiki, Rotorua Maroon and Rotorua Gold in the boys’ competition, with nine sub-unions represented in the girls’ draw.

There are also plenty of trophies up for grabs at the end of the tournament, with finals set for Saturday, while the top talent even get selected in a Bay of Plenty Wasps side that plays a couple of games against other provincial unions.

Games will take place at Memorial Park in Ōpōtiki and Princess Street Reserve.

Action begins at 12.30pm on Wednesday with the girls, and 2.30pm for the boys, with the final set for 11.30am on Saturday morning.