The local association is sending a girls’ team and three boys down to the annual Balmain 12&U Invitational carnival.

The carnival was initiated as a development carnival and, as such, is not just about playing games.

There are also educational seminars for the parents and players ranging from diet to sports psychology to injuries.

Among the presenters will be former Wallabies physio James Sutherland.

The UTS Balmain National League players also conduct coaching clinics.

Another unique feature is that the carnival is played at the Dawn Fraser Baths, which is a tidal flow salt water pool. 

It’s not something the local players are accustomed to.

The carnival gets underway on Monday and will involve around 50 teams.

Tamworth, unfortunately, couldn’t field a boys’ team but, fortunately for Ryan and Chris Taggart and Joe Mitchell, they’ve been picked up by the Central Coast.

All three have played in the carnival before.

They all went last year and the Taggart twins the previous year.

They are looking forward to the week.

You learn a lot, they said.

It can also be interesting playing in the sea and with creatures swimming around you.

The Taggart boys both keep, although Ryan does more of it and was hoping to get some good time in goal down there.

Mitchell plays out in the field.

The week will be good preparation for the trio for the upcoming State U14s Championships, in which they will be playing for Tamworth.

They will play around three games a day Monday and Tuesday with finals and play-off games on Wednesday.

The girls’ side is  named the Total Babes and will be stepping up a division this year.

Jason Gross is coaching them with Abby Griffiths assisting.