In what is something of a first in NSW, the Armidale Sportsground will host the Professionals Armidale Legends of League game on March 17.

Former Queensland Origin player Craig Teevan has teamed up with Troy Byers and Armidale locals like Luke Fahy and the Armidale Sports Council to bring the game south of the border for the first time.

“There’s been 16 of these before,” Teevan said.

“15 have been in Queensland and one in Papua New Guinea.

“People have been saying ‘when are you going to do one in New South Wales?’ and this will be the first.”

Teevan will pull on the boots for the Queensland side again where he will join the likes of Boustead, Rogers, Currie and Danny Nutley.

Wearing the sky blue on the other side will be McGaw, Hill, Davidson and David Peachey.

Those players have all played Origin between 1980 and the early 2000s and fans of all ages are sure to recognise some of the players taking the field.

“They’re different ages,” Teevan said.

“If we had all golden oldies the younger people wouldn’t recognise them.

“That’s why it’s good we’ve got some younger players, and they add a bit of nip to the game too.

“Guys like Mat Rogers and Scott Hill still like to throw it around.”

Teevan said the organisers also like to add a local flavour to the game so alongside the visiting players will be home-grown former NRL talent like Dean Widders and Dennis Moran, as well as Tingha’s Nathan Blacklock.

Even Armidale resident and former goal-kicking ace Ross Conlon will pull the boots on.

The game will provide plenty of entertainment for spectators on what Teevan says is a great facility for fans.

He said the Sportsground not only had the best lights in town but the sweeping hill provided for a family-friendly atmosphere.

He also said the event would benefit a range of people in the community.

“It’s a community-based event,” he said.

“We start off with coaching clinics on the Thursday and there’s a social bowls day and then a gala dinner and charity auction on the Friday.

“Then the game is on the Saturday evening.

“It’s also during the (autumn) festival so we’ll be in the parade.

“There will be a Queensland float and a NSW float.”