Season's greeting from BOP Rugby Union
Plenty of exciting action in the pipeline at Bay of Plenty Rugby Union with new coach appointments and schedule confirmations for the Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Farah Palmer Cup for 2022.
The Steamers kick-start their season with an away matchup vs Wellington at Sky Stadium on Sunday 7 August. They return home the following week for their 2022 home debut vs Taranaki on Sunday 14 August at the Tauranga Domain.
Wellington finished one point ahead of the Steamers last season in the Premiership, while Taranaki ran riot in the Championship, winning 8 of 10 games and taking out the Championship Final 32 -19 vs Otago.
The Steamers have five home games in 2022 including back-to-back games in Week 8, where they play Hawke's Bay on Saturday 24 September and Northland on Wednesday 28 September.
Recently, former All Black and Bay of Plenty Steamer great Mike Delany was appointed new Head Coach of the Steamers for 2022.
Delany was an integral piece of the Steamers coaching unit last year and now takes the jump from Assistant Coach to Head Coach for the first time in his professional coaching career.
"I feel privileged and excited with the opportunity to lead a team that has been a big part of my life," says Delany.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say I was nervous! But it's been the same with my playing career, and I've always backed myself to get the job done.
"I'm fortunate to have been coached by some of the best, so I can hopefully draw from those experiences to guide this team in the right direction."
Meanwhile in professional women’s rugby, the Volcanix will host three home games throughout their season. Two of their three games will be Volcanix/Steamers double-headers on 14 August vs Counties Manukau and 28 August vs Canterbury, respectively.
The Volcanix finished 6th in the 2021 FPC Premiership competition after a challenging season with injuries to senior and leading players. They will look to improve upon last year's performance in 2022.
Brent Kaua was named new Head Coach for the Volcanix for 2022. Kaua will lead a skilled and experienced management group that will look to build on the foundations set by former Volcanix Head Coach Rodney Gibbs who departed last year to take up a role with New Zealand Rugby.
"I can speak for both myself and the rest of the Volcanix management group that we are incredibly excited for the upcoming season," says Kaua.
"It is clear to us that the Bay of Plenty is a region of incredible potential. We want to uncover that potential and give women opportunities to develop in a professional rugby system through the Volcanix."
All Steamers and Volcanix games will be hosted in Tauranga this year after the unfortunate announcement that Rotorua International Stadium will be unable to host games in 2022. Despite the disappointing news, it is still fantastic to have the prospect of packed crowds returning to Bay of Plenty rugby games this season.
We look forward to seeing you out at our games and go the mighty Bay!