Inverell's Will Browett and Evan Burgess have been selected as part of an Northern Inland Football (NIF) U11s representative team to play at the state championships.
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Held over the June long weekend in Coffs Harbour, the duo will face players of a similar calibre from across northern New South Wales to test their skills.
Will and Evan were identified by the region's technical director as candidates for the team after watching their performances at various gala days.
Usually in U10s, Inverell coach Peter Browett said the boys will be playing up a division.
"Once a month we go to Coffs Harbour to play as an Inverell team and every fortnight in between we have a regional gala day at either Inverell, Tamworth, Armidale or Gunnedah.
"These kids have played for a couple of years together now, one from a development squad last year. Now they're in an age group, they're holding quite strong on their own against 11-year-olds."
The NIF representative side should average around three or four games per day once they arrive in Coffs Harbour.
With just two weekend training runs with their NIF U12s teammates before the event, the pair have been relying on afternoon training to keep their fitness up.
"We play Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, sometimes Monday," Will said. "Sometimes we event practise in the backyard," Evan added.
Communication and control of the ball are two key factors the duo hope to improve on prior to the championships.
"I was so happy and excited when I heard I got into the team," Will said. "I was decently surprised," Evan said.
Both boys agreed they liked working as a team to try and take down their opposition.
"It's a fun game when you're using teamwork to beat the other team," Will said.
Playing striker, and sometimes in the mid-field, Will hopes to play his best at the championships.
Evan said his favourite position was centre back but could play anywhere on the field.
The championships serve as a major identification for upcoming programs including the country U13 state team and zone development teams.
The technical department of Northern NSW Football will focus on how teams play and how players respond to the overall result, rather than who wins and loses.