Bay of Plenty Rugby Under-19 coach Cory Sweeney is excited with the prospect of taking his side into this year's Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 tournament.

Cory says this squad has been building nicely towards the tournament being held in Taupo between September 15 and 21.

File photo.

The squad has been in preparation since February, training throughout the club season. They play Hawke's Bay and Auckland in pre-season, before playing Taranaki, Counties and Waikato in the Chiefs competition. The Chiefs competition acts as seeding matches for the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Tournament.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is treating the competition as a big opportunity to develop players and promote them to the next level, whether it is the New Zealand Under-20's or the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

'This group has been working towards selection since February and have all demonstrated their ability through club rugby and throughout the recent training weeks.

'The upcoming trial and seeding games through August will provide a further opportunity to test the boys against quality opposition as they look to gain selection for tournament.

'We are happy with how the boys have progressed to date and know we have a squad of talented players excited by the challenge of representing Bay of Plenty at the National Under-19 tournament."

Captaining the squad this year is former Rotorua Boys' High School student Jessie Williams who says he is excited about the upcoming representative season.

'It was bit of a shock to be named captain this early into the campaign. Once it sunk in, I was honoured and humbled to be leading the boys out for season.

"They're a good bunch of boys who are all striving to do their best. Everyone is out there for the same reason, so it's good to know you are going on the field with boys who'll do the job. My goal is to lead by example and be someone who the boys respect due to my actions.”

2016 Under-19 Squad: