Baywide Rugby World Cup a wee rippa

The Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup series kicks off across the Bay of Plenty today. File Photo.

Young rugby players across the Bay of Plenty will be taking to the field for the Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup series which kicks off today.

The Rippa Rugby World Cup Tournaments involve more than 1500 kids across two grades - years three and four, years five and six - who'll compete in three Rippa Rugby World Cup tournaments taking place over the next three weeks.

It's expected the three Baywide qualifying tournaments will feature 64 teams from the Western Bay, 40 teams from the Central Bay, and 48 teams from the Eastern Bay.

Following the series of collective tournaments, the top 12 teams in each grade will then compete at the Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup at Rotorua's Ray Brood Park on June 16, ahead of the upcoming DHL Lions International Series fixture and International Women's Series on June 17.

Each team must field five girls and five boys in their squad for the regional tournament, Baywide tournament and New Zealand Rugby National Tournament, explains Bay of Plenty Rugby junior rugby development officer Brett Johnson.

'These tournaments have now been running for 10 years and are a chance for many girls and boys to take their first steps in playing rugby.

'It is a great introduction into rugby for these players, learning key skills; such as passing, catching, evasion, support, communication and working as a team.”

The winner of the year five and six competition will represent the region at the national Air New Zealand Rippa Rugby Championship in Wellington from September 18–19. Last year Bay of Plenty was represented by Kawearu South who finished third at the National Rippa Rugby tournament.

'It is great to see the number of kids, in particular girls involved in Rippa Rugby. We have witnessed some amazing talent over the term one Rippa Rugby modules, so it should be a fantastic couple of weeks across the Bay of Plenty.

'Seeing the best Rippa Rugby talent for each area rip it up, it is an awesome experience for all who are involved.”

RIPPA RUGBY WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT DATES

Western Bay of Plenty:

  • Blake Park, Tauranga - Wednesday, May 24, from 9am–2.30pm
  • Postponement Day: Blake Park, Tauranga - Thursday May 25, from 9am–2.30pm

Central Bay of Plenty:

  • Ray Brood Park, Rotorua – Wednesday, May 31, from 9am–2.30pm
  • Postponement Day: Ray Brood Park, Rotorua – Friday, June2, from 9am–2.30pm

Eastern Bay of Plenty:

  • Tarawera Park, Kawerau – Wednesday, June 7, from 9am–2.30pm
  • Postponement Day: Tarawera Park, Kawerau – Thursday, June 8, from 9am–2.30pm

Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup:

  • Ray Brood Park, Rotorua – Friday, June 16, from 9am–2.30pm

For more informantion, visit www.boprugby.co.nz

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.