Contest to represent the Bay of Plenty and wear the coveted gold team uniform begins today for the region's top netball players.

The trials for the squad are today and next Wednesday at Aquinas College, starting at 6pm.

Coach Mary Jane Araroa is keen to see what talent exists following recent competitions and age group tournaments played in the last few weeks.

'I've been identifying the key players that have participated in the recent Contract Mechanical Services Baywide tournament, however, I'm keen to evaluate how hungry they are for a spot in the representative team,” says Mary Jane.

'Playing for a place in the gold team and the opportunity to represent the province is huge – our pride is on the line and I'm aiming high.

'I'm considering an extended squad initially to build as much competition for positions as possible and then reducing that group to 12 when the final squad is named at the end of August.

'My intention is to focus on individual skill and ability as well as potential combinations and then set tasks of the group to deliver results before the final selections are named.”

Netball Bay of Plenty CEO Sheryl Dawson is excited about the pool of talented players here at present.

'Our promotion to the first division at the end of last year was a great start and we plan to pull out all stops to retain our place and improve our position on the table,” says Sheryl.

'The gold team plays its first game against top of the table Canterbury on September 3 at the new TECT Arena at Baypark so we need to be in sizzling form for that game.

'It's an exciting time for netball in the Bay of Plenty and we want to make the most of the every opportunity that becomes available to us.”