It’s the first time the competition has been hosted by a country NSW town and 12 teams will be competing over Saturday and Sunday playing in a modified version of the game.

The carnival has been sanctioned by the Australian Rugby Legue (ARL) and a representative from the ARL will be present on the day to help oversee the games.

The Cherryatrics, who earlier in the year travelled to the Gold Coast to compete in the same tournament, will be competing and take on West Belconnen in the first game at 10.30am on Saturday.

Steve Woolford will be playing for the Cherryatrics and said organisers had taken it as an opportunity to promote the game and the response from former players interested in the tournament had been unbelievable.

“Some of them have been jumping out of their skin for the chance to play,” Woolford said.

“It just gives the guys who have been retired from the game for a while a chance to get back into it,” he said.

Former players taking part include Neil Eppleston from Grenfell, Lloyd Martin (ex-Canberra) from Bega, Michael Quinn (former Harden captain/coach), Harvey Jones, Chris Ward and Lee Hardy (all former players with Harden), Boorowa has Stuart Gay, Bill Stanley (all well known local identities) along with Craig Field and Steve Reardon (ex-Bulldogs).

Peter Simpson is playing for the Wagga Shamrocks, former local first grade player David Grear, now playing for the Yass Greypies, while Young has a host of former players headed by Steve Woolford, Fox Maxwell, Paul Vitnell and Gary Lucas.

On Saturday games will run until 3pm while on Sunday games will run from 10.30am until 12.45pm with the Cherryatrics playing their second game against the Valley Dragons on Sunday at around midday.

The games are still full contact however only there are only two-in allowed on tackles and red or yellow shorts are worn by players to distinguish those playing under more limited contact rules.

Each side fields 11 players with each half running for 15 minutes and canteen and barbecue facilities will be available throughout the weekend.