The NSW PSSA Championships have a reputation of producing future NRL stars. Now the next generation has their chance to shine in Wagga. Here’s how the young guns can earn a NSW jersey.
It’s an event has played host to some of the biggest names the game has ever seen, and now the next crop of NSW’s rugby league stars are set to shine.
The NSW PSSA Open Championships take place in Wagga from 20-22 June, with the state’s best 12-year-old male talent descending on the Riverina.
“These are the best 12 year olds in the state,” NSW PSSA rugby league convener Les Daley said.
“We have the South Coast going down as far as the border, North West stretching as far as Glen Innes, Armidale and Cobar, and the Western Region covering Mudgee, Bathurst and Lightning Ridge.”
With 13 teams represented, over 250 boys will have the chance to put their best foot forward with the end goal the chance to secure a New South Wales jersey and a trip to Townsville for the nationals later this year.
“We’ll select a combined squad of 34 from the U11s and Opens competitions,” Daley said.
“They’ll be taken to St Gregory’s and immersed in sill development, introduced to team patterns and coached at an elite level.
“From there 17 will be chosen to go away and compete in Townsville at the Australian School Championships.”
While skill is a big factor in determining the squad, Daley said attitude and application were also key to making the coaches take notice.
“We’re looking at kids that have the potential, a positive attitude, and kids we think we can develop into a stronger player,” he said.
“We look for kids that have great sportsmanship. We don’t pick players that don’t adhere to being a good sportsman on and off the field.
“This is also about providing lifelong memories and friendships. For some it can be a platform to open up future opportunities, but the week is about enjoyment.
“Rod Wishart spoke at a dinner about the day he represented NSW. He made a tackle on a massive Queenslander, and that was the moment he thought he might be good enough.”
This event in the past has seen some huge names come through and go on to represent their state.
However Daley said missing out on selection wasn’t the end of the world, with a Blues icon a testament to that.
“We saw Todd Carney and Reece Williams come through the South Coast,” he said.
“Blake Green, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Braith Anasta, Keith Galloway, Craig Wing, Anthony and Mark Minichiello and Mark Gasnier have all come through.
“We often tell the story about a player who didn’t have their name called out, and went on to captain at State of Origin level, and that’s Steve Mortimer.”
NSW PSSA OPENS CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
DAY ONE – TUESDAY 20 JUNE
9:00am Hunter vs South Coast
9:00am Sydney West vs CIS
9:45am Sydney East vs North Coast
9:45am Polding vs Riverina
10:30am Sydney South West vs Sydney North
10:30am Mackillop vs Western
11:15am South Coast vs North West
11:15am Hunter vs Sydney West
12:00pm CIS vs Sydney East
12:00pm Riverina vs Sydney North
12:45pm Polding vs Mackillop
12:45pm North Coast vs Hunter
1:30pm Sydney South West vs Western
1:30pm Sydney East vs North West
2:15pm Sydney West vs South Coast
2:15pm Sydney North vs Mackillop
3:00pm Polding vs Western
3:00pm CIS vs North Coast
DAY TWO – WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE
8:30am South Coast vs Sydney East
8:30am Hunter vs CIS
9:15am Mackillop vs Sydney South West
9:15am North Coast vs Sydney West
10:00am Riverina vs Western
10:00am Sydney North vs Polding
10:45am South Coast vs CIS
10:45am North West vs Hunter
11:30am Sydney East vs Sydney West
12:15pm Mackillop vs Riverina
12:15pm Sydney South West vs Polding
1:00pm North West vs CIS
1:00pm North Coast vs South Coast
1:45pm Sydney North vs Western
1:45pm Hunter vs Sydney East
2:30pm Sydney South West vs Riverina
2:30pm North West vs Sydney West
DAY THREE – THURSDAY 22 JUNE
8:30am North West vs North Coast
10:10am 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
10:10am 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
11:00am 7th Pool A vs Invitational Team
11:00am 6th Pool A vs 6th Pool B
11:40am 5th Pool A vs 5th Pool B
11:40am 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool B
12:20pm 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B
1:00pm Defeated semi finalist vs Defeated semi finalist
1:40pm Winner semi vs Winner semi
Originally published as ‘Skill, attitude, sportsmanship’: The keys for NSW’s best 12-year-old talents at PSSA Championships