More than 50 teams of the Hunter's best rising rugby talent converged on Waratah Oval to claim bragging rights as the region's best sevens squad.
A total of 24 girls teams and 31 boys teams in the under-14s and under-16s divisions hit the field on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In the boys, St Francis Xavier beat Trinity College in the under-14s final and Hunter Valley Grammar were too strong for Hunter Sports High in the final of the under-16s. In the girls, Hunter Sports won the under-14s and the Trinity took out the under-16s. The winners progress to the State finals in Sydney next month.
"It was a hugely successful couple of days," NSW Rugby development manager Brent Dale said. "There were lots of people on hand and they were treated to entertaining rugby,"
Meanwhile, Noah Brady (Southern Beaches), Aubrey Krisenthal-Collins (Maitland), Finn Brownlee (Maitland) and Luca McCourt (Hamilton) have been selected in the NSW Waratahs under-14s squad.
The quartet, who represented Hunter and NSW Country, will be part of the Next Gen U15 program run by NSW Rugby.
Brady (hooker), Brownlee (No.8) and McCourt (breakaway) are forwards and Krisenthal-Collins is a fullback.
They will attend two training camps and play in two tournaments in Sydney during September.
Hunter also has six players - Jacob Leung (Wanderers), Sam Burey, Ollie Ramien, Flynn Rimanoczy (Merewether). Digby McDonald (Sth Beaches) and Braeden Burrows (Maitland) - have been selected in the NSW Gen Next 15s side.
They add to a strong contingent of Hunter boys and girls representatives in NSW junior programs from 14s to 18s.
Hunter Wildfires director of rugby Darren Coleman is set to launch a new academy program aimed at producing the region's next Wallaby.
The boys are also part of an expanding schools program conducted by NSW Rugby Union development manager Brent Dale.
Brady and Brownlee will go head to head when St Francis Xavier College and St Bede's clash in the final of the McKendry Shield (under-14s) on September 9.
The McKendry Shield will be on of four finals along with the two divisions of the Steve Merrick Cup (under-16 boys) and Morgan-Stewart Sevens Cup (under-16s girls).
In the Steve Merrick Cup, Singleton High will tackle St Mary's in division two, with Hunter Valley Grammar to meet Hunter Sports High in division one.
The final round of the Morgan-Stewart Sevens Cup is being held on Tuesday at Waratah Oval.
"This year we will have had 1000 kids playing secondary schools rugby," Dale said.
"Those players are starting to flow on to representative pathways. We have a lot more kids from the region being selected in Combined High Schools, Combined Catholic Colleges and other teams.
"It is also a pathway to scholarships at private schools.
"There were 24 Hunter boys who played in the NSW All Schools trials this year. Every one of those boys have played in the Steve Merrick Cup.
"Boys now in Sydney and playing in the GPS system like Anakin Richardson, Liam Sidwell, Stirling Strachan, Ben Barretto, Charlie Burey, Aiden Hunter, Morgan Carter and Taj Little - all came through the program up here.
"A large portion of the NSW girls side is from Hunter Sports High and have played in the Morgan-Stewart Cup."
The Steve Merrick Cup consisted of eight teams playing 10-a-side when introduced by Hunter Rugby in 2019.
Dale took over running it and other school programs post COVID-19.
"For many, it is their introduction to rugby," Dale said. "We know ever year we get about 30 kids who register with a club after playing in Steve Merrick Cup."
The Steve Merrick Cup consisted of eight teams playing 10-a-side when introduced by Hunter Rugby in 2019.
