The only way is up for the Bay of Plenty Steamers as they look to restore some provincial pride after a run of unflattering ITM Cup performances.

That's the aim for coach Clayton McMillan and assistant Rodney Gibbs after announcing their 35-man squad as the Bayfair Baywide Premier Club Rugby competition drew to a close as well as two trial matches.

Bay of Plenty Steamers first five Dan Hollinshead during the 2014 ITM Cup season. Photo: File.

Culum Retallick and Carl Axtens will co-captain the side, which features 20 returning players, including Johan Bardoul, Dan Hollinshead and Pingi Tala'apitagi. There are 15 new faces after impressive performances in the club competition.

Included in this are midfielders Terrence Hepetema (Leicester Tigers) and Lalakai Foketi (Melbourne Rebels), former Manawatu halfback Papa Wharewera, Canterbury hooker Seb Siataga, Wellington outside back Chase Tiatia, former Highlanders fullback Craig Clare, Waikato flanker Zac Hohneck and Hawke's Bay winger Brynn Uriarau.

McMillan is pleased with the final make-up of the squad - a mixture of established Steamers, some seasoned campaigners and young talent coming through the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union system

'We know this is an extremely competitive competition and believe the players we have picked are good men, hard-working and motivated to perform,” says Clayton.

'It is important this team represents our region. This is reflected in players from numerous clubs being represented in the final squad.”

He says the group is looking forward to earning the respect of the Bay supporters by playing with passion and a brand of rugby synonymous with the Bay.

One player keen to push on from a solid campaign in 2014 is first five Dan Hollinshead.

The 20-year-old was one of the Steamers' shining lights as they finished bottom of the Championship Division with just two wins. He's backed this up via his Te Puke side, who head into this weekend's Bayfair Baywide Premier Club Rugby semi-finals as the only unbeaten side.

'I'm feeling quite fresh at the moment,” says Dan. 'It's felt like a long time since last year and I've been waiting for this for a while now.”

He believes the coaches have produced a balanced side of experience and uncapped potential - something that excites him.

'It's a good mix,” he adds, 'because quite a few of those uncapped players that are coming in have quite a bit of experience in other places, whether its offshore or in other parts of the country.

'They are offering a lot too, and it's all building quite nicely.”

Once again Hollinshead will go head-to-head with Whakarewarewa's Te Rangi Fraser for the No. 10 jersey along with Tauranga Sports' Nick Evemy, who has played for the Steamers in midfield.

And he's relishing the chance to further his skills and development at this level, after the disappointment of missing out on the final cut for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship winning side earlier this year.

'It is good competition,” says Dan. 'It's always good as it brings out the best in us.

'That was a bit of a hard thing to swallow, but I thought about it for a while and it's not about proving someone wrong, it's about trying to focus on my game and get better.”

The Steamers opening match of the 2015 ITM Cup is against North Harbour at ASB Baypark on August 14.

Steamers 2015 ITM Cup Squad:

Hookers: Nathan Harris (Te Puke Sports); Joe Royal (Rotoiti); Seb Siataga (Canterbury)*

Props: Solomona Sakalia (Mount Maunganui); Aidan Ross (Te Puke Sports)*; Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (Rotoiti); Pingi Tala'apitagi (Tauranga Sports); Mike Kainga (Mount Maunganui); Jeff Thwaites (Tauranga Sports)*

Locks: Tim Bond (Te Puke Sports); Troy Callander (Greerton Marist)*; Keepa Mewett (Tauranga Sports); Culum Retallick (Tauranga Sports), Brodie Retallick (Tauranga Sports)

Loose Forwards: Sam Cane (Tauranga Sports); Johan Bardoul (Ngonogotaha); Shahn Eru (Te Puna)*; Zak Hohneck (Rotoiti); Carl Axtens (Tauranga Sports); Joe Tupe (Greerton Marist)

Halfbacks: Jono Kitto (Te Puke Sports); Te Aihe Toma (Te Puna); Papa Wharewera (Rotoiti)*

First five-eighths: Dan Hollinshead (Te Puke Sports); Nick Evemy (Tauranga Sports), Te Rangi Fraser (Whakarewarewa)

Midfield backs: Terrence Hepetema (Te Puna)*; Caleb Hall (Greerton Marist)*; Lalakai Foketi (Rangataua)*

Outside backs: Chase Tiatia (Rangataua)*; Leroy van Dam (Greerton Marist); Tino Nemani (Greerton Marist); Brynn Uriarau (Te Puke Sports)*; Craig Clare (Paroa)*; Whaimotu Craft-Chemis (Whakarewarewa)*

One player is still to be added to the squad.

*New Steamers