Bay of Plenty Rugby's decision to contract women players is paying off, with its first two members selected to trial for the New Zealand Black Ferns.

Luka Connor and Hana Tapiata will be among 50 women nationwide trialling for a place in the national women's team this Sunday at Pukekohe's Bombay Rugby Club.

Former Opotiki College student Luka Connor on the charge for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix against Auckland in the 2014 Women's Provincial Championship. Photo: Rick Moran.

This will be reduced to 45 ahead of the second trial in Palmerston North from May 28 – 31. The final squad selection will be announced in early June.

The team will assemble in Auckland on June 18 and depart on the 22nd for the Canada Women's Rugby Super Series.

Greg Smith will head the coaching team responsible for building a plan for the Black Ferns to be successful at 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup after crashing out of play-off contention last year.

The pair were both identified as potential Black Ferns in 2014 and are currently part of the National Performance Black Ferns Squad after strong performances for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix in the Women's Provincial Championship.

They are Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's first contracted Women's Rugby players, as of the beginning of this year.

Connor, a former Opotiki College student, led the college to successive Baywide secondary school sevens crowns as well as the Bay's 2014 secondary school first XV title.

She played for Waikite in last year's Bayfair Baywide Women's division.

Tapiata, 22, hailing from Rotorua, was part of the Bay of Plenty women's side that reached the cup semi-finals after impressive results in pool play at the 2015 Bayleys National Sevens.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union director of coaching Clayton McMillan says the commitment of both players can't be faulted.

'Luka and Hana came into the High Performance Program on a trial off the back of their dedication and commitment to improve their game,” says Clayton. 'They were then contracted to the union.

'It is great to see their hard work has been recognised and they have been selected to trial.”

Loose forward Connor is very excited about this weekend's trial, buoyed by being injury free and well prepared.

'I have been training hard for the past couple of months with the Academy,” says Connor.

'It is a great opportunity and I intend to give it my all.”

Tapiata, a midfield back, says being contracted to the union has allowed her to tap into a number of resources to progress her game.

'A lot of hard work has been put in to get this far, so I feel well prepared for this weekend and I am excited to trial,” says Tapiata.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers says the union is excited about the pair's trial selection.

'It is also pleasing that our increased focus and support of women's rugby is achieving positive results,” says Rogers. 'We wish both players all the best for the upcoming trial.”

Former Bay of Plenty Rugby Volcanix's player Kendra Reynolds has also been selected. Her selection, is a result of a successful off-season strength and conditioning program with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

She has since decided to return to the Waikato to play club rugby.