Played at Moorebank, the weekend is more than just matching up the best young players in the State in Under 13, 15 and 18 boys’ and girls’’ matches, it’s also about further developing their young games.

All teams play two matches, one Saturday morning and one Sunday afternoon with afternoon training sessions thrown in.

“It’s a stepping stone to further representative teams,” said Richard Willis, Tamworth’s recently appointed Hockey NSW Athlete Acceleration Program manager.

Twelve young Tamworth players have been selected although Isaac Farmilo has been forced to pull out of the Under 18s, leaving just Antony Doolan to fly the Tamworth flag in that age group.

NSW Under 18, Alice Arnott, is also in the Country Under 18 girls as she prepares for the National Under 18s in Melbourne later in the year and part of a team also containing Brittany King.

Gabby Hathway and Tayla King are in the Under 13 girls.

It’s 13-year-old King’s first Country selection and the Tamworth High Year 8 student is excited to be a part of the big weekend.

Calvin Farmilo and Toby Whitten are in the 13 boys team.

Whitten, 12, a Tamworth High Year 7 student is also in his first Country outing. 

“I was picked last year but I broke my wrist and couldn’t play,” Whitten said.

His Tamworth team-mate, Calvin Farmilo, a 12 -year-old Year 7 student at McCarthy Catholic College will play a central midfield role to Whitten’s defensive midfield role.

Emily Chaffey , 14, Abigal Doolan and Sophie Beaven, 14, are part of the Under 15 Country side. Calrossy students Beaven and Chaffey are also delighted with their selection while Ehren Hazell and Brady Curry will step out for the Under 15 boys country side.