The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union launches its new brand of rugby to encourage more secondary school students to take up the sport.

A new initiative Quick Rip will be hitting secondary schools across the Bay of Plenty during term one. Western Bay of Plenty Schools kick their new season off this afternoon.

File photo.

Currently the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the fourth largest Union in the country, with more than 10,000 registered players.

The union sees the introduction of Quick Rip as an opportunity to encourage the growth and development of rugby within the Bay of Plenty, leading to the potential increase in participation figures for this year.

Quick Rip is a variation of the successful Rippa game but introduces non contested scrums, line outs and the ability to kick the ball.

It encourages participation in a safe, non-contact environment for both males and females alike to learn or improve basic rugby skills, says secondary schools manager Ian Parata.

Ian says the game is easy to learn, with simple rules. Quick Rip promotes excellent ball handling and running skills, and gives players of all capabilities a chance to participate in a game similar to the Rugby Sevens game.

Quick Rip provides both males and females the opportunity to participate and encourage others in yet another format of the game.

'Schools are excited with the concept and see it as an awesome tool to introduce new players boys and girls into the game.”

Western Bay of Plenty:

Aquinas College, 1.30pm

Mount College, 1.30pm

Otumoetai College 1.30pm

Bethlehem College 1.30pm

To be held every Monday

Eastern Bay of Plenty:

Tarawera High School, 12.30pm

Edgecumbe College, 1.30pm

To be held every Tuesday

Central Bay of Plenty:

John Paul College 1.30pm

To be held every Wednesday