A new year, some fresh new faces and a slightly tweaked format. Grassroots rugby at its finest is back, bringing with it 12 teams vying for Bay of Plenty supremacy.

In a move from the 2014 format, the Western Bay local round for premier and development teams kick off the season today, while Central and Eastern Bay of Plenty teams start their local rounds on March 28.

Mount Maunganui head into the 2015 season as defending Bayfair Baywide Club champions. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

It follows a special general meeting last December held by the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union for the three sub-unions after suggestions that Central and Eastern Bay were unhappy with the previous format and may set up their own competition, excluding the Western Bay.

But an agreement was reached where the revised format for 2015 will be played out before a new competition from next year.

This season splits into two parts. The first round is local competitions separated to the three regions, followed by one complete round of Baywide premier rugby, with the top six from Western Bay and three each from Central Bay and Eastern Bay.

The development teams of those 12 clubs will play alongside the premier teams.

In 2016, the 12 premier clubs and 12 division one clubs will play-off to form three divisions of eight teams.

In a major change, the bottom four teams in premier and division one will be relegated, with the top four teams in division one and division two gaining promotion.

Today, Mount Maunganui enters the season in the unfamiliar role as defending champions, facing Rangataua at Te Ariki Park.

In 2014 the Mount came from fourth ranked finalist to lift their first premier title since 2005 with a tense 26-23 victory against Whakarewarewa.

The Mount are largely unchanged, but find themselves without the services of proven club players Josh sole, Chris Croadsdale, Taite Smith, Cayden Matahaere, Sami Fisilau and Jackson Edwards.

Once again led by Chris Elvin, approaching his 200th premier match, the Marlins will be a tough opposition and should be there come the business end of the season.

Other opening round matches sees Te Puna against Greerton, and Te Puke Sports at home to Tauranga Sports.

With both teams falling short in the semi-finals last season, this weekend's game could be the bench mark for the competition.

Te Puke coach Craig Jefferies says Tauranga are strong contenders, having picked up some handy players in the off-season.

The Te Puke side have bolstered their own roster with the likes of Bryn Uriarau (Poverty Bay), Conner Hirini (Marlborough), Curtis Deane (Rotoiti) and Sean Peake (Rangiuru).

But it will be up to captain Tim Bond and fellow Steamer Dan Hollinshead to direct things if the Pirates are to lift the silverware on grand final day on June 25.

Tauranga Sports coach Mike Rogers is predicting yet another 'torrid battle” between the two sides, in a fixture that generally goes down to the wire.

'Te Puke are a strong team,” admits Mike, 'and will definitely be there at the business end of the season. The game is likely to illustrate contrasting styles in terms of how the teams play, which should make for an intriguing battle."

After a disappointing 2014 campaign, where they were unable to defend their 2013 title, Rogers will be looking to new additions Jesse Acton, fullback Ben Smith and flanker Dan Crowther to make an impact this campaign.

He also has the services of former Steamers captain and no frills player Wayne Ormond to call upon, after he made the shift from Rotoiti.

In the Central Bay round Waikite, Marist St Michaels, Whakarewarewa, Kahukura, Ngongotaha and Rotoiti make up the six.

Eastern Bay sees Opotiki, Poroporo, Paroa, Marist, Ruatoki and Te Toko square off.

The Bayfair Baywide Club Competition, starting May 2, sees Te Puke, Mount Maunganui, Waikite, Greerton, Paroa, Rotoiti, Rangataua, Opotiki, Te Puna, Tauranga Sports, Whakarewarewa and a third Eastern Bay side yet to be decided.

Today's Western Bay draw:

Rangataua vs. Mount Maunganui (Te Ariki Park)

Te Puna vs. Greerton (Maramatanga Park)

Te Puke Sports vs. Tauranga Sports (Murray Salt)

Development kick-off: 1pm

Premier kick-off: 2.45pm