IT will be "fast and furious", but when the inaugural Bathurst 9s tournament is staged next February it will also be about uniting the rugby league community.
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When COVID-19 forced the cancellation of this year's annual NSW Koori Knockout, supporters of the Bathurst Black Trackers - Western Sydney University - still wanted to help them be part of a tournament.
Initially the plan was to stage something in Bathurst on the October long weekend, but instead they have gone with a new pre-season 9s event at Jack Arrow Oval on February 13.
It will offer the Bathurst Black Trackers a chance to play together before the 2021 NSW Koori Knockout and for Group 10 clubs, it is a chance for an early financial boost.
"Because COVID was financially crippling for a lot of sport clubs, we thought that if we run the event for Group 10 teams, then we are giving back to the community," organiser Shona Kennedy said.
"With the prize money, if you can find five grand after a day of footy, then it's a good way to start your year. We really wanted something that not only benefitted the Black Trackers, we wanted something that helped all the clubs.
"We wanted to sort of go global a little bit within our own space, we might end up with the same amount of profit for our event later in the year, but what we've done is generate income for local clubs. It wasn't about us, it was about giving back to the community when things have been a bit tough."
The tournament will have both a men's tackle and women's league tag division and while early in the year, Kennedy expects the quality will be high. Up to 18 players will be permitted to register in a team.
It will also be held on a culturally significant day - National Apology Day.
"It's fast and furious and you only get one shot sort of thing, the games go quickly," Kennedy said.
"We're just really excited, I think it will be one of the first rugby league events for adults in the new year that's specific to our area at least.
"You have to be over 17 to play in the men's, but some clubs might want to field an 18s, they might want to chuck in two teams and have one for 18s and it might be their game because they're fit and we could be headed for very warm weather."
Kennedy is naturally keen to see the Bathurst Black Trackers test themselves against the Group 10 outfits in what will be a rare chance for them to play on home turf. Many of the players - as has been the case since their formation in 2010 - have Group 10 experience themselves.
"We've had quite a number of Group 10 players in there and people who have been connected to Bathurst and we have always had a younger team," Kennedy said.
"We've had mixed success, when the knockout was in Bathurst we got down to the final 16 out of 64 teams, the talent is just so good as you go along in the Koori Knockout.
"The Black Trackers have a really close association with Bathurst Young Mob, it's almost one entity ... so it's a really good opportunity for Bathurst Young Mob kids to come down and participate."
