After concerns it would be scrapped again, the iconic Peel Schools Rugby League Carnival will kick off with the primary section at Tamworth's Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday.
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Commencing in 1949, the event has been a nursery for future stars in the senior ranks but was cancelled in 2015 due to liability and insurance issues, before being rebooted the following year.
The carnival’s spokesman, Mike Cashman, said: “Unfortunately, tomorrow's (Saturday) grounds-booking date was the only one available to the organising committee for the carnival – the earliest that it has ever taken place.
“This has had a negative effect on entries in both the primary and secondary (set for Wednesday) sections.”
Eight schools have nominated a total of 24 teams across six age groups (seven to 12) in the primary section.
They are Westdale, Manilla, St Edwards, Tamworth, Tamworth South, Nemingha, Oxley Vale and Gunnedah South.
The carnival commences at 9am on Saturday with the 10 years age group, and 42 matches will be played on eight fields. A marchpast of teams will take place at 10am.
Special guests at Saturday's carnival will include NRL ambassador Ben Ross.
Local Men of League members will fill ground manager roles, while Group 4 referees will oversee matches.
The secondary section will take place at the same venue, with matches commencing at 9.30am. Entries are still being received.
“Who knows what future NRL stars may come from tomorrow's iconic carnival as they have done in the past,” Cashman said.