Last year, the Bathurst Cup (for boys) ran in late March, while the Proctor Park Challenge (for girls) was held over the first weekend in March.

This year the Bathurst Cup will be held on February 5-6, while the Proctor Park Challenge will run on February 12-13.

Both competitions are usually used as one of the final pre-season hit outs for National Premier Leagues (NPL) teams from Sydney and ACT, however, most junior competitions have been expanded to 30 rounds for next season, which required the dates being brought forward.

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With the Proctor Park-Police Paddock Complex, the host venue of both tournaments, home to the finest soccer fields west of the Blue Mountains, the event always proves to be a fantastic opportunity for Bathurst to showcase its facilities.

"Proctor Park has a reputation as one of top three complexes for holding carnivals like these and has a reputation as the best run," Bathurst District Football treasurer Grant Foster said.

"Senior teams associated with Sydney clubs want to come and use the facilities and as our reputation grows, the demand and argument for more expansion of the complex, and even better facilities increases.

"This assists us in our attempts to expand the complex, and provide better facilities for locals, and attract more key events."

This year the Bathurst Cup will be expanding to introduce an under 18s competition.

The Bathurst Cup will also become a Football NSW Referee's coaching event from 2022.

It's expected that Bathurst District Football and Football NSW will subsidise around 70 of the best young referee's who will use the carnival to learn and develop under the tutelage of a dozen Football NSW instructors.

While the tournament is always a great pre-season tournament for the major clubs from Sydney and Canberra, it's also a massive learning opportunity for the local Bathurst representative sides.

Both carnivals have grown over the years, starting with around 20 teams to where a cap on entries have been implemented to enable organisers to fit in the games.

Neither the Bathurst Cup and Proctor Park Challenge have been affected by COVID-19 in the past two years, as 2020 was held before the outbreak and 2021 was held when case numbers were low.

Entries for the 2022 tournaments close on Friday, December 10, so clubs are urged to get their applications in quick to avoid disappointment.

The early bird team entry of $270 (per team) ends on Friday, December 17, (with payment to be received by this date)

Entries are only accepted upon receipt of a confirmation email noting the preferences in the competition flyers.

To find the entry flyer or for more information, visit the Football NSW website at www.footballnsw.com.au.

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