Rugby season set for kick-off:

Both of Golden Bay’s senior sides start their campaigns at home, with Collingwood taking on Murchison, and Tākaka hosting Stoke.

As in last year’s Senior B division, there are 11 teams, each playing five home and five away matches, with one bye.

As usual, as soon as the fixture list is released all eyes in Golden Bay look for the local derby date when neighbours Collingwood and Tākaka vie for the season’s bragging rights. This year the match falls on 1 July, and is the final round robin fixture to be held in the Bay.

Although dates for the semi-finals and finals have not yet been officially announced, it is expected they will be played on 22 and 29 July respectively.

The coaches of both Bay sides are eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s matches and head into the competition full of optimism

Collingwood coach Graeme Miller is happy with his “big squad” comprised of players of a “variety of ages” including some ex-locals who will travel over the Hill for home games.

Although the core of the team remains, there are some changes, with star player Liam Miller returning, while long-term skipper Steve Strange hangs up his boots and hands over his captaincy to Ryan McKay.

Joining the coach on the side-lines is manager Roz Miller, along with less visible, but no less important, backers. “A big thanks to our sponsors,” says Graeme.

The coach considers his team well prepared for the challenge ahead. “ We’ve been training a long time. We started two weeks earlier than usual and we have done eight weeks team training. We’re ready.”

Asked what his ambitions are for this season, Graeme says