The under 14 side, which plays in the North West Junior Cricket Association inter-district competition as the Tamworth Blues, heads to Nambour for a week-long tournament beginning Monday.

In previous seasons the side has campaigned in Lismore (Under 12s in 2001) and Ballina (under 13s in 2002).

"We're expecting to do better this year," Blues captain Josh Manvell said at last Friday's training session.

"We went better in Ballina than we did in Lismore and will even better this time. We've got some new players to add to the side."

Josh Manvell said Tim Smith (from Scone) and Josh Evans would add plenty of strikepower to both the bowling and batting ranks.

"Tim adds a bit more pace to the attack. He's our Brett Lee, him and A.J (Aaron Hazelwood)," he said.

"Josh is a good batsman, he's our first drop (number three)."

Vice-captain Simon Massey, who will bowl first change behind Smith and Hazelwood, said the carnival would be good fun.

"We will be more competitive this year," he said.

"Although we did play well last year and finished fifth or sixth."

The side has trained strongly for the carnival with a gruelling session under Pirates trainer Warren Perry last Friday followed by a final session on Tuesday.

TAMWORTH BLUES: Josh Manvell (capt), Simon Massey (vc), Aaron Hazelwood, Greg Coleman, Ben Mooy, Josh Evans, Richard O'Halloran, James Gilbert, Luke Perry, Emily Rixon, Tristan Lord, Tim Smith, Tim Hart. Coach – Paul Manvell.