The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union have signed five players from this year's Steamers squad.

Hooker Nathan Harris, props Solomona Sakalia and Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, number eight Joe Tupe, halfback Te Aihe Toma and first-five-eight Dan Hollinshead have all signed up to play another season with the Blue and Golds.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers says they are determined to build on the progress the Steamers made during the 2015 ITM Cup.

'Retaining a core group of this years' team was a priority and it is great to have been able to do this. All of this group are proven Provincial Championship players and bring significant experience to our environment.

"They are all motivated to continue to improve their games and that fits with the type of players we want involved.”

Nathan Harris and Siegfried Fisi'ihoi will return to the Steamers following their Investec Super Rugby season with the Chiefs.

Sakalia, Tupe, Toma and Hollinshead will train as part of the Unions High Performance training squad at the new High Performance Training base at Blake Park, while also being involved in cub rugby for their respective clubs in the 2016 Baywide competition.

Nathan says it is a good feeling to re-sign with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

'It is where my heart lies and I am always proud to wear the Blue and Gold hoops,” he says.

'I love the Bay and being a part of the Bay of Plenty community. I have really enjoyed my time with the Steamers this year and I am looking forward to being part of the Union for the next two years.”