IT'S a joy for any parent to see their child reach the grand final of their competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So you can imagine the joy of Mick and Karen Carter after their three kids all reached Group 10 Junior Rugby League deciders this weekend.
Riley (under 11s), Abbey (under 13s league tag) and Jackson (under 16s) will all line up for their respective Bathurst Panthers sides looking to end their year on the best note possible.
While it's difficult to ascertain whether such a scenario has happened before at the club, it's a special moment for the Carter family.
Mick Carter said he couldn't be prouder of the way his children and their teams have played this year.
"It's an incredible feeling for Karen and myself. It wasn't until they pulled the three of them aside for a photo after the games that I realised how significant it was," he said.
"It's an awesome effort on their behalf. The three of them have three incredible coaches who have put the time in to help them get where they are. It's been a great team effort and a special moment for them all. We're really looking forward to Saturday.
"They do a lot of hard work and extra training themselves behind the scenes. They've usually got a footy in their hands every day of the week, even outside of when they're practicing."
All three of the Carter kids have enjoyed a spectacular year of football to date.
Both the boys are hoping to cap off unbeaten seasons while Abbey Carter's under 13s are chasing an upset win over CYMS.
The grand finals pit some of the Panthers teams against clubs they're yet to face in 2020.
"Riley's under 11s haven't been beaten yet. It was a bit of an unknown for them on the weekend going against Lithgow, because that was a snowed out game earlier in the season, and now they meet Cowra in the final, who they also haven't played," Carter said.
"They kicked along pretty smoothly this year. They've had some tough footy along the way but they've been doing great.
"Abbey's team lost in the last round to Pat's before they beat them on Sunday. They'll play CYMS, who they also haven't played yet due to that snowed out round.
"Based on results that CYMS team look like a classy side but if the girls turn up like they did on the weekend they can give it a great crack."
However, Jackson's 16s come up against a very familiar opponent in Bloomfield.
These two Panthers and Bloomfield teams have been regular opponents in finals series over the years and Carter is expecting another great game between the clubs.
"Jackson's 16s have gone through undefeated as well but that's the Panthers side I previously had, and they've been in this situation before where they've fallen at the final hurdle," he said.
"They were probably expecting to play Cowra but they fell to Bloomfield on the weekend. They've met in grand finals a couple of times and they'll be expecting another tough game again."
Under 11s boys play 9am on Saturday at Jack Arrow Oval and under 16s kick-off at 3pm.
On Sunday St Pat's under 11s league tag side face Mudgee at 10am and Panthers under 13s girls face CYMS at 11am.