The RSE Sports Festival is returning for its second year at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, on Saturday, August 23.

The event is a unique collaboration between the kiwifruit industry, local sporting groups including rugby, football and volleyball as well as local sponsors to provide a day off the tools for 500 hard-working RSE workers.

The Sports Festival concept grew out of an RSE Workers Rugby game played in August 2023 between packhouses Seeka and Eastpack.

The game attracted 60 players from each company but only 25 players could be accommodated in each team.

The game attracted a loud and large crowd and those involved wondered what to do next to accommodate the high level of interest. Soon after, the Sports Festival concept was created.

The Sports Festival was held for the first time in 2024 with 38 teams involved representing 11 packhouses.

This year, 47 teams will participate with 15 packhouses and orchard contractors.

Zespri government and community affairs manager Rachel Lynch said Zespri was proud to partner with Bay of Plenty Rugby for the RSE Sport Festival, celebrating another bumper harvest with some of the most important people in the kiwifruit industry.

“The work carried out across Bay of Plenty orchards this season has been monumental, with more than 200 million trays of New Zealand fruit picked, packed and heading offshore this season.

“It wouldn’t be possible without our RSE workforce and this festival is a way to thank and publicly acknowledge the RSE community and the important work they do.”

Ati Aaifou-Olive, from Bay of Plenty Rugby, said Bay of Plenty Rugby was always looking at ways to connect with the community and the RSE Sports Festival was a new way in which sport could give RSE workers a positive experience while in New Zealand.

“We are really pleased to have the support of WaiBOP Football and BOP Volleyball who also want to engage with different communities to grow their sports.

“We are also very grateful that Zespri, Health & Travel Insurance and RSE Travel have joined us as sponsors of the event and the WBOP Council Event Fund is also supporting the event.”

The focus of the day was all about ”connections, fun, culture and family”.

“We are very lucky to have the RSE workers supporting the kiwifruit industry and it’s going to be an awesome day to celebrate their hard work and contribution through this event.”

If your organisation wants to find out more about this event, email Neil Alton at neil@boprugby.co.nz