JASON Lincoln helped start the TAS Rugby Carnival and has seen it grow from 18 teams in its first year to the largest rugby carnival for Under 13s in Australia and drawing around 40 teams to Armidale each year.
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From that came the idea of the National Primary Games (NPG), a diverse carnival for various sports and primary school-aged children.
On the weekend it brought almost 1500 children in 12 different sports to Tamworth in a carnival that has huge potential for the Country Music Capital.
Lincoln believes the NPG can only grow after its successful beginning on the weekend.
So too does Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) chairwoman Di Gray.
"It's got huge potential for the kids, for sport, for Tamworth and our region," Gray said.
She is excited to see where it goes.
"To get the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) backing in our first year and the numbers, it's obviously something that's wanted," she said.
The planning has already begun for next year, which will see the date for the Games on the move.
"Next year we're moving to April," Lincoln said.
"The weather is a bit kinder and the NSW and Queensland holidays align."
He was delighted with the way the NPG finished "considering the weather".
Sunday's cold snap couldn't deter the NIAS team who worked so diligently to ensure the NPG debuted well.
"It was not only an opportunity for us to welcome all the children from afar but also to see the local children engage in the Games," Lincoln said.
"We're looking forward to next year."
To have "just under 1500 children" play in the 12 different sports in their first year was an amazing effort for NIAS.
"Who knows what the potential is," Lincoln said.
