NSW Police Rugby League are staging their annual City-Country match at Carrington Park this afternoon, ahead of the naming of the state side at Bathurst Panthers immediately after the match.

And both sides are anything but novelty outfits; City and Country boast a number of players who have spent time with NRL clubs, while many others play in weekly competitions in Sydney.

Coach of the country side, Mick Ricketts, who has been involved in the competition for many years said the reason he and his colleagues loved being involved is because, like policing, in rugby league, you look after and support the man next to you.

Vice president of NSW Police Rugby League, Rod Sheraton, shared these sentiments, saying Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke described rugby league as the police game.

“In league you look after your friends; it’s all about mateship,” he said.

“They are also very important [elements] in policing,” he said.

Mr Sheraton said Police Rugby League was a long running tradition dating back to the 1940s, and each year the game was played at a different location across the state.

“It’s the biggest police sport in NSW with about 400 players playing in competitions each year,” he said.

Bathurst was chosen to host the event this year because the organisers heard about the city’s great facilities and welcoming community.

“This year the event has been really easy to run, so to the people of Bathurst, council and the football club we really appreciate what you’ve done,” Mr Sheraton said.

The NSW Police Rugby League’s City-Country match kicks off at Carrington Park at 3pm.