Bay of Plenty Rugby League Bay of Plenty Rugby League Bay of Plenty Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. Following the restructuring of the New Zealand Rugby League they are part of the Upper Central Zone along with Waikato Rugby League, Coastline Rugby League and Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League. Between 1994 and 1996, the Bay of Plenty region was represented by the Bay of Plenty Stags in the Lion Red Cup competition. The Bay of Plenty region has been represented by two separate teams in the Bartercard Cup
Bay of Plenty Steamers distinction of being the first side to ever win the NPC when it triumphed in 1976. From the heights of '76 came the depths of 1977 with relegation to the second division, but came straight back up the following year. Fortunes fluctuated until 1991 when defeat by King Country sent the Bay back to Division II where it remained until the 2000 season. The Steamers defeated second division rivals Nelson Bays in a titanic final at the Tauranga Domain in late October 2000, and returned to the top division for the first time in ten years. Bay of Plenty began