Kia Ora WBOP community
A shout out to Jericho and his whanau. A message from Scott from Eastern Districts Sports Club
If any of your teams have played though the grades you'll all know this kid. The little giant who is playing a couple of grades up. Who runs through entire teams and scores the most outlandish tries all with the hugest smile.
I went up to Starship on Friday to visit him and his lovely whanau who are doing amazingly well under the circumstances.
I love this kid. It's kids like this who are the reason we do what we do.
Jaricho never not had a rugby ball in his hand. The maddest skill set I've seen on a kid this age, anywhere.
A horrific, freak accident doing what he loved, kicking a rugby ball around with his brothers.
Any little will help.
Thank you
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/our-rugby-whanau-needs-us-lets-rally-around
Western Bay JMC - Junior Rugby
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The Western Bay of Plenty Junior Management Committee (WBOP JMC) This is a page for all parents and clubs associated with Western Bay JMC Rugby.
There will be regular updates around the season and meetings with relevant information for participants in Western Bay Junior Rugby.
25/06/2026
We’re excited to offer the upcoming Yr 7 and Yr 8 Rugby Festival next Saturday 4th July, from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Gordon Spratt, Papamoa.
This date falls in Tai Mitchell Week, where traditionally the competition for Y7 and Y8 usually pauses. With around 550 players in these grades and only 100 in the WBOP involved in Tai Mitchell, we’re keen to offer a fun and engaging rugby experience for the remaining 450 or so players who would otherwise miss out. Last year we had 14 teams which was epic. Here is a link to the action https://youtu.be/kg5qCFaglQo
Festival Details:
Format: 10-a-side half-field rugby, each team playing approximately 4 to 5 games
Draw: Randomised
Focus: Fun, mateship, and connecting across clubs
No scoring, standings, or finals
We're also collaborating closely with NZ Rugby, who are supporting the design of the day and will be gathering player feedback and insights into playing formats which may help with future format updates. One key area of interest is reducing ‘positional profiling’, so we’ll be trialing a few minor law adjustments throughout the day, in particular 3 person scrum formations. More info to come on this soon. Don't fret - it is still rugby.
Entry is free and the event is open to all Y7 and Y8 players not involved in Tai Mitchell.
Please register your team using this link: https://forms.gle/HR3DxZ26EpzTPFiz9
(All Year 6 teams are playing at the festival too - you are automatically entered - draw to be released early next week)
01/05/2026
Associate Referee course this Wednesday 6th May at Tauranga Sports 6pm.
Check out the U12 & U13 Rugby Festival earlier in the year!
Every year, when the Tai Mitchell representative competition kicks off, our local club season for U12 and U13 players traditionally comes stops. With around 550 players in these grades — and only about 100 playing Tai Mitchell — that’s a lot of kids missing out on rugby opportunities.
So as a WBOP Junior Rugby Committee, we decided to offer something for all the kids missing out.
We created a 10 aside Festival founded on fun, mateship, and connection across clubs — no scores, no finals, just a relaxed, positive environment where kids could enjoy the game for what it is.
✅ 1 venue (Gordon Spratt)
✅ $0 entry fee
✅ 5 short games each
✅ All finished by 12pm
The day was full of smiles, teamwork, and great spirit — exactly what junior rugby should feel like. 💛💙
A big thank you to all the clubs, coaches, managers, and parents who supported the event and helped make it such a success.
This festival was also part of an New Zealand Rugby trial exploring new ways of playing the game — including no set-piece and then 3-person scrums (with the 3 closest players packing down). The goal: delay positional profiling and give players more opportunities to experience all parts of the game.
It was awesome to see so many kids out there playing, laughing, and loving their rugby. See you all in 2026
An epic way for our U8s, U9s & U10s to wrap up the 2025 rugby season – with a festival!
Fast-paced games
BBQs sizzling
Music pumping
Dancing, laughs & plenty of fun
A day all about fun, friendship, and kids having a blast.
Big thanks to all the clubs, coaches and whānau for supporting our tamariki to love the game.
See you all in 2026!
Junior rugby is back after a bit of a break. Have fun out there tomorrow.
Send those player of the day pics to Lisette McDermott - Tall Poppy Real Estate
Lisette McDermott - Tall Poppy Real Estate is back with another prezzy card draw!
Get those POD photos sent to her to be running to win next fortnight 🙌
** LOST PROPERTY **
If you lost a bone carving during Rippa at Arataki on Saturday (7/06), it has been handed in. If you think it's yours, please comment below and we'll put you in touch with the Arataki delegate.
Lisette McDermott - Tall Poppy Real Estate has drawn the first winner for the POD prezzy card draw. Make sure to get those photos to her 🙌
17/05/2025
Send those POD photos to Lisette McDermott - Tall Poppy Real Estate! $25 prezzy card up for grabs….
Remember to get those player of the day photos to me! Tag me, email, DM them. Let me know who they are and what team/club they are from. I’ll do the first $25 prezzy card draw on Wednesday 🙌
Hit your club up if you haven’t seen them yet…
Western Bay JMC - Junior Rugby
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Tauranga
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