Not only is the Bay of Plenty Steamers performing on the field of play this season – but they are also proving to be great ambassadors and role models.

For the record, the Steamers won their fourth successive match of the Air New Zealand Cup at Baypark on Saturday afternoon, defeating archrivals Waikato. There is probably no bigger game each season for the Bay boys than the encounter with the team from over the Kaimai Ranges.
The mooloo men seem to regard the Steamers as their little brothers, which provides all the motivation that the Steamers require. In front of the largest crowd at Baypark since the golden days of the Ranfurly Shield glory in 2004 – the Steamers thrilled their huge number of parochial supporters with a 32-16 victory, to remain at the top of the Air New Zealand Cup points table.
An example of the effect that role models have on impressionable youngsters was provided by my eleven year old grandson last week. As a soccer player he usually takes little interest in rugby.
After a school visit by several of the Steamers on Thursday, it was off to Baypark on Saturday afternoon with Dad having to dip in his pocket for several pieces of Steamers gear.
Role models such as our local heroes in blue and gold can provide plenty of positive messages, especially for the more boisterous youngsters. The Steamers are in a unique position where their positive messages can often have a real influence on ‘pre-teens'.
The other side of the coin is the anti-social behaviour of some of the over paid and over idolised, professional rugby and rugby league players. The Steamers actually accept a big responsibility when they endeavour to provide positive messages to youngsters throughout the Bay of Plenty.
Sunday provided me with another look at grassroots rugby at its best. Blake Park hosted a pre-season hit-out between the Bay of Plenty Under 16 rugby team, and their Counties Manukau counterparts.
While many think that rugby is awash with money, rugby unions such as Bay of Plenty and Counties don't have bottomless pits and utilise their finances sparingly when it comes to age group rep rugby.
With both teams about to embark on Northern Region competition campaigns, a ‘friendly' encounter was arranged outside the representative program. In the spirit of grass roots rugby of another era all the players brought plates of food for the aftermatch function.
This was no small matter with Bay players coming from as far away as Opotiki and Reporoa. Car boots unloaded a large quantity and variety of provisions, with team parents then taking over the Mount club kitchen.
The respective captains and team coaches made speeches - with good wishes for good fortune in the competition extended. In the professional era aftermatch food and speeches have almost disappeared, which made the Sunday aftermatch such a special occasion.
For the record Counties prevailed 22-12 in a match played in four quarters.