The inaugural Western Bay of Plenty Primary Schools Girls Rugby 10s Tournament kicked off at the Gordon Spratt Reserve in Papamoa today.

Sponsored by Pak and Save Papamoa, nine teams from around the region went head to head in pursuit of taking the trophy.

Tahatai Coast Primary School player Rorey Maaka, 10, fending off a Papamoa Primary School player.

Papamoa Primary School teacher and tournament organiser Hamish Avery says it has been an awesome day.

'It's perfect conditions here at Gordon Spratt and the girls are playing a good brand of rugby union.

'There's been lots of good close matches, in fact three or four draws which is good as I was hoping to get some good close games.”

About 150 children who were mostly Years 5 and 6 students played in the tournament. Hamish says each team had some Year 4 students, while the halfback of his team was still in Year 3.

For the tournament each team plays a total of five games which were split into eight minute halves.

Most teams have been coached by parents of students and Hamish says the support they have shown their kids is inspiring.

'All the teams have heaps of good mums, dads and people coaching them. They're doing really well.”

Hamish believes girls rugby is gaining popularity and its inclusion at the Rio Olympics next year, as well as the IRB adding women's rugby to the Sevens calendar has definitely helped.

Young girls can definitely grow up to become professional women's rugby players, he says.

'I think if kids can see a pathway for it at this age then they can achieve it.”