Twenty four hopefuls get seriously stuck into preparations this weekend with the ultimate goal of making the Bay of Plenty team aiming to qualify for next month's TECT National Sevens in Tauranga.
A training camp in Ohope over the weekend begins the campaign before shakedown tournaments in the coming weeks, leading on to the northern region qualifier in early December, and then the national tournament at Tauranga Domain on December 15-16.
Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens head coach Sean Horan says the wider squad he and assistant Steve Miln have announced give them a talented mix to select their tournament team from, and he's excited to see how they develop over the coming weeks.
'We've picked a competitive training squad, with a varied set of skill and experience,” he says.
'There are some players from the past, a few from the under 19s squad, a couple of new players to the region, plus there are a couple of exciting young players that are still at school.
'We're excited about the opportunity that presents itself to the group.
'It's great to have the TECT National Sevens based in Tauranga for the first time, and hopefully the exposure that the players will get will help their future progression.”
The squad will officially begin their preparations this weekend with the camp in Ohope.
They then compete in two pre-season tournaments in Pukekohe and Thames as warmups for the Northern Regional Qualification Tournament in Cambridge on Saturday December 1, where they chase qualification for the TECT National Sevens.
Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens Squad:
Hunter Mokomoko, William Warbrick, Will Ngatai, Jordy Stone, Jayjay Seumai, Gordie Lloyd, Etonia Waqa, Taniela Filemoni, Paea Lavaka, Richie Tuvanavou, Elijah Nicholas, Josh Honey, Jonty Wood, Te Aihe Toma, Isaac Te Aute, Vilitati Sabani, Carlos Price, Danyon Morgan-Puterangi, Rewita Biddle, Luther Hirini, Ratu Delasau, Peni Lasaqa, Fritz Rayasi, Te Wehi Wright
Key dates for the team's season:
Counties Manukau Sevens Tournament
Date: Saturday 17 November
Location: Karaka Rugby Club, Counties Manukau
Thames Valley Sevens Tournament
Date: Saturday 24 November
Location: Thames Valley
Northern Region Qualification Tournament
Date: Saturday 1 December
Location: Memorial Park, Cambridge
TECT National Sevens
Date: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December
Location: Tauranga Domain
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