Players from as north as Ballina and as south as Wagga Wagga will be aiming to prove why they’re the best in the state at the Junior Regional Championships held at Carr-Confoy Sports Grounds this Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament will bring together 36 teams representing six regions in under- 14s, 16s and 18s age groups (for both genders) in what is the first major touch tournament to grace Goulburn in over a decade.

Local Kayne Davis is one of only two Goulburn touch players lucky enough to play in his home town. The 17-year-old having been selected for the Southern Suns under-18s team.

He will be joined by 15-year-old Lachlan Sykes who will be playing for the Southern Suns under-16s squad.

“I was star struck when they called last week and asked if I wanted to be on the team,” Kayne told the Post.

“They said they decided to select me after watching a couple of videos of me on You tube.”

Kayne had been a last minute inclusion into the team after fellow Goulburnian James Finch decided to pursue rugby representative commitments.

Sykes on the other hand was selected through Southern Suns trials held in Yass earlier this year.

“They gave us a call and it was a bit of a shock actually because all of the other boys are actually really good,” Lachlan said.

“The ones they selected are just fast and really light on their feet, so yeah it’s just a real honour to be selected.”

Steven Dunn, administrator at Goulburn Touch says the tournament will do wonders for the local touch competition which is already one of the most participated sports in the city.

He says there are over 900 registered players in the region and that last season there was 96 teams across all grades and ages.

“To have two guys represent the local competition is great but it’s going to be a major step up for them. It will be something where they can bring back some experience to the Goulburn comp,” Mr Dunn said.

He also points out that nearly every motel and events room is booked out over the weekend as teams and players bring their families along for the journey.

Tournament manager Robert Summers of NSW Touch Football Association says the tournament is an opportunity for selection into the NSW under-18s youth development squad for the National Championships in September.

For under-14s and 16s there is also an opportunity to make State Merrit Teams. He says touch football has become more popular in recent years due to the simplicity of the game.

“It’s an easy game to pick up and you don’t have to dedicate much time to it. Generally you organise a game with mates and just show up,” Mr Summers said.

The teams competing in the tournament this weekend are the Hunter Hornets, the Sydney Mets, Sydney Rebels, Sydney Scorpions, The Northern NSW Eagles and the Southern Suns.

Each team will play a minimum of five games.

The tournament kicks off at 9.30am tomorrow with round robins and continues Sunday with finals.