Welcome to the first SunLive online sports beat. The weekly report will be online each Tuesday, with a 'hot off the press” look at what happened in Western Bay sport at the weekend – and a look ahead to the next weekend.

We promise to be positive and extremely parochial, about sport in the Western Bay.

Last Wednesday I was part of several hundred rugby fans at the Tauranga Domain, who watched the first trial, to select the 2009 Bay of Plenty Steamers. On a beautiful Tauranga afternoon, the potential Steamers playing under BOP Wasps banner, proved too for a Waikato side masquerading as the Harlequins.

Late in the second half over on Domain Two, several groups of Tauranga Sports youngsters were going through their drills, in preparation for the coming weekends junior rugby competitions. While impressed with the seeming dedication of the young players - the thought went through my mind, that one of the reasons that rugby is strong in this country is the pathways to the top.

Many of the youngsters, going through their paces on adjoining field to the Steamers trial match, would have aspirations to play for the Bay of Plenty in the future. Being able to get up close and personal with the Steamers during the representative season plays a big part in future aspirations.

For example the stars of the future at Tauranga Sports, often bump into the likes of Toby Arnold, James McGougan, Cullum Rettalick, Luke Braid and Josh Hall, who all appeared in the Yellow and Gold last year.

This weekend will bring another frantic morning of parents juggling children and vehicles, as they head for the many junior sporting venues in the Western Bay. Blake Park at the Mount will have a myriad of junior rugby and netball participants, along with the many siblings, parents and grandparent supporters.

If you doubt the enthusiasm for junior rugby and netball in the region – try getting a car park anywhere near Blake Park on a Saturday morning. Football and hockey also attract large numbers, and ensure that all available playing fields in the Western Bay are a kaleidoscope of colour and frenetic action.

There is plenty of senior sport to watch on Saturday, with Baywide Premier rugby being played out at the Tauranga Domain, Te Ariki Park and Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke. A number of games in the Midland Intercity Hockey League will be played at Tauranga Hockey Centre at Blake Park, with football on show at Links Avenue

Looking forward to the weekend action on TV – rugby takes a break before the mighty and majestic All Blacks take on the enemy of France the following weekend. League and Netball will take centre stage during parts of the weekend, with some late nights in store in the coming days, with the Twenty 20 World Cup taking place in England.