Set to leave on New Zealand on September 22, the boys are locked in to play three games against the Te Atatu Roosters (23rd), Bay of Plenty (26th) and St Paul’s College (29th). 

G and C Mutual Bank local business manager David Irwin said he was keen to come on board as the main sponsor.

“We’ve got a relationship with Trevor Fitzgerald [tour manager] and it was a good way to reward the boys for a long season,” he said.

“We hope to be involved every year and letting the community know that we’re around.” 

The under 13s side will have representatives from one of the three Bathurst junior rugby league teams – Cooper Earsman (Eglinton Eels), Myles Martin (St Pat’s) and Tallis Tobin (Bathurst Panthers). 

Tour manager Fitzgerald said the trip will be a good experience for the boys.

“It’ll give them more experience, as they’ll head into the Country Championships next year,” he said.

“They’ll have fun playing footy and experiencing New Zealand.”

Martin, who is the team captain, said it’ll be a chance to gain plenty of experience.

“We’ll be tackling people much bigger than us,” he said.

“Our goal is to win all of our games. They’ll be pressure but it’s a privilege to captain the team.” 

Today is exactly four months until Christmas year. 

Where has the year gone?

You can start to tell summer is coming – the days are getting longer and warmer and the flowers are starting to bloom in Kings Parade.

Soon the weather will be perfect enough to sun bake in and we won’t have to worry about wearing layers upon layers of jumpers. 

But personally Parade prefers the cold and was lucky enough to enjoy his first snow experience of the season, on the way down Kanangra Walls on Saturday.