The Whakatāne January Touch Tournament is hoping to bring a bit of star power with it this year.

It will be the 37th edition of the touch tournament, which is the longest-running club tournament of its kind in New Zealand for the sport.

As expected, the defending champions, Pearl Jam, are back, hoping to defend their title, while Wairere will be hoping to make amends for their defeat in the final.

As part of their 30th anniversary celebration, the Babas are set to play a friendly clash against a Peter Walters Invitational side.

Carlos Spencer, Pita Alatini, Ōpōtiki’s Willie Walker and Karl Te Nana have all been confirmed, while there’s hope former New Zealand Warriors star Shaun Johnson may make an appearance.

Tournament trustee Rod Walker said they were excited to be hosting the tournament again this weekend.

“We had about 80 teams apply, and you have to do that now to be part of the tournament, but that gets whittled down to where we are at capacity with about 70 teams due to field restrictions.

“This year, we have more than 1000 players coming to town and over 80 referees, so it is certainly good for the town and tournament.

“It’s always a great couple of days, with the drop-off tournament tonight and the tournament the following day. It brings about 4000 people into our region, who then spend money and stay here.

“It’s a good event for Whakatāne and one many of the teams enjoy.”

With the tournament one of the first in the new year and in the lead up to nationals, teams quite often bring star-studded line-ups.

“You see some of the best players on display, like Ivor Jones, who was named MVP at the 2024 Touch World Cup.

“It’s a great hit-out and the touch is of a very high level. It’s the first high-performance hit-out of the year and a lot of the provinces and clubs use this tournament as an anchor to roll into nationals.”

He said a number of the teams booked accommodation for the following year when they left on the Sunday.

“Teams know by August things are pretty tough in terms of accommodation, so they try and book it for the following year when they leave.”

More than 150 games take place tomorrow and with games just 25 minutes and no half time, teams have no chance to get behind.

“It is quick fire. There is no room for teams to start slow. If you drop a game, you are basically out. It really is cut-throat and that leads to high-quality games.”

Full Circle, a Whakatāne club, has teams entered in the open men’s and open women’s grade, as do Te Teko, Waimana, Lion Low, Pahou and a few others.

Once again, the games will be live- streamed, which Walker said enabled people abroad keep in touch with the tournament.

“Ex-pats were missing out on the tournament and it was a way to get them involved. It has also helped expose the Whakatāne area.

“It’s a good way to get the tournament out there because we have a couple of Australian teams and a sprinkling of Italian and French players, so it is spreading the tournament and helping get our town out there.”

The top women’s teams have also returned, making for an exciting tournament.

There are also restricted men’s, restricted women’s, over 35s, and mixed grades.

“It’s a lot of work, but we have a small dedicated base of volunteers who have been there 15-plus years and taken over from George Rogers, who has taken a back seat the past couple of years.

“He has left it in good hands.

“There will also be a presentation made to George Rogers as well to thank him for all his support and work over the years and everything he’s done for the tournament.”