It is the only actual game time involved in the program, although the boys have done plenty of development both on and off the field under coach Peter Stevens, who won a Group 19 premiership at the helm of the Inverell Hawks last season.

The Central Coast Challenge is an open development carnival that will throw up a real challenge to the NIAS side according to regional development manager Scott Bone.

“The Challenge will have junior sides from the Knights, Parramatta and Roosters NRL clubs plus a few more,” Bone said.

“The carnival marks the end of the program so we have turned it into a bit of a tour.” 

Apart from playing in the carnival, the boys will also do a few club tours, as well as possibly sitting in the crowd of the third Origin match in Sydney.

The squad is a perfect mix of Group 19 and Group 4 players, with eleven from each competition, although as of this weekend most of them will face up to each other as the two groups play in a trial match for the upcoming Country Championships in June.

The games will be held in Bingara on Sunday, with the 14s clashing at 11am and the 15s at midday.

Stevens is also the Group 19 coach and didn’t miss an opportunity to play some early mind games with Group 4 coach Luke Taylor in the lead-up to the trial and Championships.

“We might give our second XIII a run at Bingara,” Stevens said.

“Tubby (Taylor) has been with this Group 4 side for three or four years now and they should be wound up for the Country Championships.”