Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is proud to announce an initial Under-19 wider training squad for 2017.

Head coach Mike Rogers says this initial squad was selected following a series of pre-season games against North Harbour and Greerton Marist, in addition to a series of training sessions.

'We are really excited to name our first squad of 2017. We have been through an initial selection process in the pre-season window with a number of players putting their hand up to be involved in our wider training squad.

'We are looking forward to working with them and congratulate those who have been selected.”

The top three clubs represented in the squad are Te Puna with six players named, followed by Arataki and Tauranga Sports with five players.

The squad of 32 players will assemble this coming Wednesday to commence weekly night-time training sessions.

But Rogers is quick to point out this is an initial squad only, and there's still plenty of opportunities for players' to put their hands up over the coming months.

'We want to stress that this initial squad selection is just that, a snapshot of what we have seen over February and March. The door is well and truly open for players to make their way into our squad through good club form.

'We really want to encourage club coaches to identify players for us to monitor and invite to our training days.”

THE BAY OF PLENTY U19 WIDER TRAINING SQUAD

Props: Tevita Mafileo (Greerton Marist), Sione Afu (Arataki), Champ Betham (Tauranga Sports), Jarryd Broughton (Te Puke Sports), Te Hira Roberts (Rangiuru), Liam Morrison (Te Puna).

Hookers: Chey Dalley (Te Puke Sports), Raniera Whakataka (Rotoiti), Sam Bright (Rangataua).

Locks: Stan Van den Hoven (Greerton Marist), Ricky Van der Heyden (TBC), Blake Bird (Whakatane Marist), Matt Van Leuwen (Whakarewarewa).

Loose Forwards: Ajay Mua (Tauranga Sports), Joe Johnstone (Te Puke Sports), Harry Lloyd-Jones (Arataki), Matt Leppard (TBC), EJ Cracknell (Arataki), Ned Fitzgerald (Greerton Marist).

Halfbacks: Te Ra Whata (Rotoiti), Momo Niwa (Arataki), Keita Yamamoto (Te Puna).

First Five-eighth: Kaleb Trask (Tauranga Sports), Keanu Howe (Opotiki), Tame Curtis (Rotoiti).

Midfield Backs: Charlie Lawrence (Tauranga Sports), Will Ngatai (Te Puna), Nathan Rangihuna (Arataki).

Outside Backs: Rewita Biddle (Te Puna), Aaron Tait (Tauranga Sports), Stephen Marsters (Te Puna), Harry O'Dea (Te Puna).