Eleven Griffith footballers will make the trip to the North Coast with Dean Armanini, Christian Codemo, Jawad Mohammed, Blake Millis and Ben O’Connor will play for the under 13s country NSW side while Luca Vecchio, Mason Donadel, Ethan Donetto, Ryan Zanatta, Heath Crossingham and Michael Singh will play for the under 14s team.

A large percentage of the side has been playing at the top level for most of the season as part of the Riverina Rhinos set-up which sees them playing in the National Premier League.

Under 13s player, Ben O’Connor feels this will help them greatly when they head off next week.

“It will be great because it will give us a bit of confidence and if any of us are down it will help us out,” he said.

“We have been working together and improving together.”

The sentiments were echoed by under 14s Ryan Zanatta.

“We have been to a few camps, working hard at training with the Rhinos,” he said.

“We have just been working hard on just our game in general and then playing in the National Premier League has really helped us a lot when we are playing against the top players in New South Wales.”

Zanatta also wanted to pay tribute to those who have helped them get into this position.

“Just want to thank Ivano Donadel and Anthony Vecchio and the parents for the support they give us,” he said.

The boys will travel away for a preparation camp running from Friday, September 21 until Sunday, September 23 head of the games getting underway on Monday, September 24.

The Country NSW boys sides have been drawn in Group B which will see them face off against Newcastle Jets, Football NSW Two, Tasmania, Victoria Metro and Queensland Country. The under 13s side will start their tournament with a game against Football NSW Two while the under 14s will go up against Queensland Country.