Whakarewarewa Rugby Club is set to host the talent evident in women's rugby for the Ideal Buildings Baywide Pre-season Women's Club Rugby tournament this weekend.

Proudly sponsored by Ideal Buildings, the tournament will be a fantastic and fun-filled whanau orientated opportunity for women teams and supporters to participate in.

'We are happy to support the growth of women's rugby in the Bay of Plenty, says Ideal Building's Distributor for Tauranga David Little, 'I have enjoyed watching the success of women's rugby and supporting my club Rangataua.

'We look forward to the growth of the women's competition and are excited to what is in store at this weekend's Pre-season tournament.”

The tournament will see five teams compete in a minimum of two thirty minute matches. Teams will participate in both pool games and a play-off game as the day concludes.

The 2017 pre-season title holders, Rangiuru will return to defend their title, with fierce rivals and 2017 Baywide Premiership Champions Waikite unavailable to participate.

New women's club team Matata, unable to attend this Sunday will join the 2018 competition debuting on Sunday, May 12.

'The 2018 Baywide Premier Women's club rugby pre-season tournament is an interactive day amongst our women's club teams, providing them an opportunity to get some valuable game time leading into the women's premiership competition,” says Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Women's Development Officer Lesley Elder.

'It has been a big build up to the competition this year so it is expected that all teams will be gearing to go and I'm excited to see the ladies take the field.”

Lesley also highlights how the tournament will celebrate women in sport, and encourages all teams and their supporters to wear something purple.

'This year, we are excited to theme the tournament to celebrate women in sport and will be including interactive activities throughout the day for the crowd and supporters to get involved with.

'Not only does this tournament serve a purpose for the teams to play and match up against their oppositions, the tournament also serves as providing a whanau friendly atmosphere that allows whakawhanaungatanga among the clubs and fun activities for everyone to enjoy.”

The Whakarewarewa Rugby fields will be covered in purple as teams unite to celebrate women in sport.

With activities throughout the day including a sausage sizzle, kids' corner, spot prizes, bouncy castle, a whanau-friendly zone and face-painting by local radio station The Heat, who will also be the MC throughout the tournament will make it a fantastic day for all involved.

Bay of Plenty Women's Pre-Season Tournament Draw will be held on Sunday, May 6 from 10.30am-3pm at Whakarewarewa Rugby Football Club, Te Ngae Road, Rotorua.

Tickets cost $2 per person or $5 per car at the gate, funds raised will go towards Whakarewarewa's Junior Club Rugby.