Teams from local Oztag clubs are gearing up for the Queensland Oztag Junior State Cup on the Sunshine Coast from January 29.
Six teams from the Redlands Huskies and four teams from the Capalaba Wolves will play in the competition.
The local players will join about 8000 kids expected to attend the Junior State Cup.
Queensland Oztag sport development officer Robbie Russell said teams from Oztag venues located from Weipa to the Tweed Coast would attend the competition.
Mr Russell said during the Junior State Cup selectors will choose players for Queensland teams to compete in the best-of-three State of Origin competition later this year.
Participants in the junior competition are aged between eight and 15 years old and there are up to 16 players per team.
Fixtures will be held at the Sunshine Coast Stadium across the weekend with the grand finals on Sunday afternoon.
Venue manager for the Redlands Huskies Stephen Burnett said the state competition is one of a number of avenues available to Oztag players who want to further their game.
There are also opportunities to play in a national competition, which is separate to the Queensland team selection.
Mr Burnett said the players learn so much by participating in the state competition.
“We always go for a win, but there is so much learning and growing that goes on for the kids during the weekend.”
Capalaba Wolves venue manager Dave Nystrom said ultimately it would be rewarding for some local players to be selected for the Queensland sides, but the cup provided a great opportunity for everyone.
“It is a really good experience for the the kids,” he said.
“There’s an opening ceremony and they play for three days against kids from all over Queensland.
“It’s the first step for them to get more competitive in a sport that they love and to see the game played at another level,” Mr Nystrom said.
Oztag is a hybrid game of rugby league and touch and is played by boys and girls.
Senior players will get their opportunity when the Oztag Senior State Cup is held in March.
