With rugby balls and agility ladders in hand the Bay of Plenty Steamers continue passing on their skills and knowledge to fans ahead of the 2014 ITM Cup season.

Starting today the steamers squad is taking turns being on hand at Bayfair shopping centre to give back to the community and interact with fans through a skills and signing session.

Alex Jeffcoat, 7, practising passing drills with Bay of Plenty Steamers first five Dan Hollinshead. Photos: Hannah Wilson.

The players will be at the shopping centre from 10-12pm and 1-3pm right through to Friday meeting fans and passing on some skills.

There will be free autograph books for fans to collect all the players signatures and pose for photos.

Bay of Plenty Steamers wing Tino Nemani says interacting with the fans and community is an important part of the team's culture and the week-long programme is a great initiative.

The side has previously been to a number of Bay of Plenty schools since being named earlier this month.

'We are just trying to get out there and get the Bay of Plenty brand prominent again before the season,” says Tino.

'We will be here all week with a couple of the boys in at the shopping centre at different times during the day.”

He says there is a range of activities for fans to take part in including ball skills, passing drills, and a ladder for people to test their speed and agility.

The Steamers first match of the 2014 ITM Cup season is against Southland in Invercargill on August 15.

Bay of Plenty Steamers players, Kimami Sitauti, Dan Hollinshead and Timo Nemani.

Alex Jeffcoat with the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Scott Berger, 7, and Chrsitopher Berger, 9.

Dominic Velois, 7 and Declan Velois, 4.