Black Ferns Lesley Elder and Renee Wickliffe along with new national under 18's sevens player Tynealle Fitzgerald are among the most familiar Volcanix faces for the upcoming Farah Palmer Cup.

Head coach Brendon Webby and assistant coaches Zane Winslade and Mike Lewis have today revealed their TotalCom sponsored squad for the campaign, this year in the Premiership division after winning the Championship tier title at Blake Park last October.

Brendan is expecting a challenging time for his team in the Premiership division, but says he has a positive mix of experienced and youthful players including a number of particularly talented athletes.

'We're exceptionally excited about being in the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership division this year and the challenges that'll bring. We've picked a squad with a good mix of experience and youth that we believe is going to be competitive and proudly represent the region.

'It's been great to see the development of the Baywide Women's club competition and the significant improvement in the quality of rugby being played. As a result this has provided some healthy competition for positions,” Brendan says.

'We have a strong core group who've been steadily working in the gym along with field trainings in addition to their club responsibilities and we believe this will bode well for our campaign.”

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers says the Volcanix are at the forefront of their aspirations to be an innovative leader in women's rugby.

'We're proud of the progress the Volcanix have made and this is credit to all our people involved in the women's game. We have strong aspirations to be a leader in women's rugby and the Volcanix are a flagship for us to promote the game.

'Stepping up to the premiership division will be a great challenge but it's one we as a union are looking forward to,” Mike says.

'I know the team will be very motivated to do the Bay proud and give it their all.”

The Volcanix will take the field next weekend in the Game of Three Halves featuring the Black Ferns and Auckland Storm in the first of their two pre-season fixtures. The second takes the side north to Pukekohe to face 2017 Farah Palmer Cup runners-up Counties Manukau.

They're then into the hard graft of the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership season Saturday 1 September at the Tauranga Domain with a baptism of fire against 2017 Premiership champs Canterbury.

It's the Volcanix first double header of the year with the Steamers also facing Canterbury the same afternoon at the domain.

Bay of Plenty Volcanix 2018 Farah Palmer Cup squad:

Rangataua: Bree Meyer, Jade Tuilaepa, Joy Benioni, Kate Henwood, Kura Hudson, Lesley Elder, Olivia Richardson, Renee Holmes, Renee Wickliffe, Tracey Lemon, Zoe Wilson.

Rangiuru: Amanda Aldridge, Anahera Mohi, Angel Mulu, Baye Jacob, Braxton Walker, Calli Perrott, Christie Yule, Kendra Reynolds, Kororia Heyblom, Mystery Mclean Kora, Ora Williams, Rawinia Luka, Sapphire Tapsell, Tynealle Fitzgerald.

Rotoiti: Emily Magee, Polly Playle.

Whakarewarewa: Christine Corbett, Hana Tapiata, Lily Florence, Tania-Rose Raharuhi, Te Rina Mohi.

Waimana: Mikyla Wardlaw.

Not considered due to injury: Luka Connor, Aryhan Clarke.

Bay of Plenty Volcanix management:

Head Coach: Brendon Webby

Assistant Coach: Zane Winslade

Assistant Coach: Mike Lewis

Manager: Amanda Thompson

Campaign Manager: Kyle McLean

Physiotherapist: Flo Gutschlag

Assistant Physiotherapist: Courtney Wilson

Strength and Conditioning Trainer: Tim Wilson

Video Analysts: Regan Innis and Hannah McDonald