Whakatāne will once again hold its annual touch tournament at Rex Morpeth Park this coming Friday and Saturday.
It is the largest club touch tournament in New Zealand and this year it will consist of more than 70 entries, and 1000 players in six grades. The event is held over 18 touch fields.
The section known as the 'drop off' will take place this coming Friday and will continue on Saturday with games kicking off at 10am going right through until around 6pm.
One of the highlights of this particular tournament is the participation of high profile players including ex-All Blacks.
In past years, the likes of Tana Umaga, Carlos Spencer and Piri Weepu, who make up the team known as 'The Baa Baaz', make an appearance and people of all ages aren't shy to ask for a quick autograph and photo with the stars.
For years, the Baa Baaz have been coming to the annual tournament, adding national and international union and league players to an already talented mix of sportspeople from New Zealand and Australia.