A new initiative aimed at helping breed the next generation of Bay of Plenty Steamers has taken its next step.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby U18 Wider Training Squad has been announced following the rigors of testing and trial matches whittling the potential players down to 41.

Otumoetai College First XV's Jack May has been included as a halfback in the Bay of Plenty Rugby U18 Wider Training Squad. Photo: Tracy Hardy

The players selected are from Tauranga Boys' College (11), Rotorua Boys' High School (eight), Opotiki College (four), Te Wharekura o Mauao (three), Whakatane High School (three), Bethlehem College (two), Otumoetai College (two), Aquinas College (two), Te Puke High School (two), Western Heights (two), Mount College (one), and Trident High (one).

This follows the success of the Bay of Plenty Rugby U18 Development camps held last week, which saw a number of young players involved.

The first day, held at ASB Baypark, comprised of skill development, position specific coaching, physical testing and some education around player pathways.

This was backed up by a day of trial matches at Te Puke Sports' home ground of Murray Salt Stadium.

The camps are a new initiative set up to provide an opportunity for local talent to further development both on and off the field.

It also helped representative coaches to view the vast majority of players to aid with their selection.

Training begins next Wednesday at Gordon Spratt Reserve, Papamoa, ahead of four confirmed preseason games before competing in the Chiefs Under-18 competition.

After a two week break due to school holidays the Bethlehem Coachlines Secondary Schools Rugby competition kicks off again next weekend.

The feature match, on July 25, sees Aquinas College travel to Opotiki to take on the current holders of the Te Kani Shield Opotiki College.

Having lost the shield to Western Heights, Aquinas will be keen to take back the shield.

Opotiki on the other hand will be desperate to hold on after a narrow win over Whakatane High School and following the holiday break the holders will need to put their best forward from the first whistle if they want to keep the Aquinas boys out.

In other Division One action, Otumoetai College will host Whakatane High School who will be pushing hard for their first win of the round.

Te Whare Kura o Mauao fresh back from their Gold Coast Rugby Tour will play Bethlehem College, while Trident High School will be taking on the Western Heights High School boys in a David vs Goliath battle in Whakatane. With numerous catch up games from the last week of term other division results will not become clear until after Round 6 with the race for the semi-final spots being too close to call.

Bay of Plenty Rugby U18 Wider Training Squad:

Props: Nico Aandewiel (Bethlehem College) Sione Afu (Mt Maunganui College) Isileli Latuila (Opotiki College) Kadis Hona (Rotorua Boys High School) Jaya Moore (Rotorua Boys High School) Sami Veikoso (Tauranga Boys College) Te Hira Roberts (Te Wharekura O Mauao)

Hookers: Isaiah Leach (Rotorua Boys High School) Dymond Ioanne (Tauranga Boys College) Tanati Bidois (Te Wharekura O Mauao) Mareko Fagasa-Nuku (Whakatane High School)

Locks: Callum Hoare (Aquinas College) Keagan Mio (Opotiki College) Tiaki Harrison (Rotorua Boys High School) Valen Keil (Rotorua Boys High School) (subject to injury status)

Loose Forwards: Matt Leppard (Bethlehem College) Ned Fitzgerald (Opotiki College) Dorso Porima-Horne (Rotorua Boys High School) Mitchell Holten (Tauranga Boys College) Paia Lavaka (Tauranga Boys College) Nick Wilson (Tauranga Boys College) Kaydin Budd (Te Wharekura O Mauao) Josh Lillas (Trident High School) CJ Reineke (Whakatane High School)

Half-Backs: Jack May (Otumoetai College) Te Ra Whata (Rotorua Boys High School) Sam Takai (Tauranga Boys College)

First-fives: Jake Malbon (Tauranga Boys College) Victor Malik (Te Puke High School) Brad Munro (Western Heights High School)

Mid-field: James Wood (Aquinas College) James Tofa (Rotorua Boys High School) Brad Armstrong (Tauranga Boys College) Nick Adams (Tauranga Boys College) Will Ngatai (Tauranga Boys College) Devin Te Tai (Whakatane High School)

Wings / Fullbacks: Rewita Biddle (Opotiki College) Isaiah Duncanson (Otumoetai College) Kini Ormsby (Tauranga Boys College) Robinson Whareorere (Te Puke High School) Masiu Vanikolo (Western Heights High School)