Aspirations to become the next Bay of Plenty Steamer will be a hot household topic tonight after hundreds of school children got to mix with the latest crop of Steamers talent.

About 520 children from 17 schools across the Bay of Plenty packed ASB Baypark Stadium at the Steamers Open Day for a chance to meet and greet the players and see what it takes to pull on the iconic blue and gold stripes.

Steamy signs the newly released Steamers playing cards some school children at ASB Baypark Stadium. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Dually run by Sport Bay of Plenty and Tauranga Safe City, the day also marked the launch of the new Steamers Bully No More campaign featuring playing cards and up-to-date statistics about each of the players.

Split into groups, the schools were taken on a guided tour of the changing rooms, gym, and video analysis room by injured Steamers players while the rest of the squad were put through their paces in an open training run.

Tauranga Safe City programme manager Raewyn Mortensen says today is a chance for children to spend the day in the life of a Steamer, with every child receiving four playing cards to collect and swap with their friends.

First rolled out last year, the playing cards have been an instant hit after coming hot off the press yesterday.

'Last year they were really popular with the kids because it's a collectable and they have a game on them,” says Raewyn.

On the back of the cards is Tauranga Safe City's catch phrase ‘Bully No More! Use your WITS' – the acronym ‘WITS' meaning walk away, ignore, tell someone and seek help.

Bay of Plenty Steamers flanker Carl Axtens says the no bullying campaign is a great cause to get behind and Steamers are proud to endorse it.

'I think it's awesome. We have got to get it involved in schools and the last couple of years the Steamers have been backing it and I think it's huge to get it in there and make people aware of it.”

He admits the open day is a great opportunity for the children to personally meet the players rather than seeing them on television in the ITM Cup.

Growing up as an avid Steamers fan himself, Carl still remembers fond memories of being in awe of the players, who he had the opportunity to meet while at school.

'I got to meet them a couple of times when I was younger, but not alot. But when I did it was pretty special and plenty of autographs.

'It's pretty cool when a kid comes up to you with a card and asks for your signature.”