THEY may not see the benefits this season, but an innovative approach from Te Puke Sports should bolster the town's rugby talent in the future.

The club has just finished running a 12-week high performance training programme, aimed at players aged 13-18.
The 35-strong squad spent the summer training with past and present Steamers like Matt Wallis, Solomon King, Andy Miller and Rameka Poihipi, mixing their rugby skills work with boxing and Pilates.

"It was definitely a first-year experience, because there were a lot of things we intended to do but never got around to because we underestimated how much time we had to put into the basics,'' coaching director Craig Jeffries said. Jeffries and club stalwart Scott Cameron ran the programme after sensing a need for club's to be more proactive in the community.

``One of the main things I was strong on was that it wasn't to be exclusive to Te Puke Sports players _ I wanted it to be available to anyone, whether they've played for Eastern Districts all their life or another club like Rangiuru,'' Jeffries said.

``I've coached a lot of these boys up through the grades and I see them slipping behind, unless they're in a really elite team in a good culture like Tauranga Boys' College have got.
``There's some outstanding talent and they could have outstanding futures as long as they've got something to motivate them.''
Players were also put through their paces by Steamers fitness trainer Murray Peterson, while their boxing session was run by Tauranga coach Hemi Niha.
Cameron and Jeffries will monitor the squad's progress throughout the year, and hope to make it a yearly fixture.

``The players just got better and better, and they really bonded, which was impressive considering they were training their guts out with the knowledge there was no game to play on Saturday.''

For the first time in recent memory, a Baywide under-19 competition kicks off tomorrow. Thames Valley side Hauraki North will join Te Puna, Greerton Marist, Taneatua and Opotiki.  Tomorrow the teams will gather at Greerton to play a one-day tournament.

Te Puke, meanwhile, are away to Rotoiti, with both teams coming off first-up wins.
The only Western Bay home game has a tinge of controversy about it, with Te Puna forced to play their fixture against Opotiki at Greerton Marist. Te Puna are being punished for indiscretions by their fans last year, by forfeiting their first home game of the season. 

 Te Teko host Tauranga Sports, Mount Maunganui travel to Whakarewarewa, Whakatane Marist play Rangataua at home and Waikite and Kahukura play at Bellvue Rd, Rotorua.