The combined side will be called the Bathurst Blacktrackers and will boast some very good footballers including Kris and Daniel Kennedy, Shannon Peters, Jamie Crawford, Jason Pitt, Des Crawford, Steve Gibbs and Jace Hood along with the Lithgow five.

It will be somewhat of a family affair with the Lithgow contingent all related with Scott and Jeremy brothers, with cousins Mark and Tony while Steve is the brother in law of Scott.

Scott said: “Sport is a big part of our family and it virtually all stems back to our family matriarch, our grandmother Val Northey.

“Her children are all very good sportspersons and now the next generation have made their mark in a number of sports.

“Those still in Lithgow playing rugby league, touch, basketball and cricket, are her grandchildren which includes Jeremy and myself, Darren, Tony, Kurt and Mark Northey, Jonathan and Brendon Van Veen and Joel Stapleton while in hockey, her granddaughters are also some of Lithgow’s best with Tiffany, Kristy, Jaimie and Ashlee Northey, Sharna McMillan and Roxsanne Van Veen all top line players.

“The boys are all very excited about the knockout as there will be some of the best footballers in the land taking part including some high profile NRL players.”

The knockout will be held on the October long weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 1, 2 and 3) at Woy Woy with the cream of indigenous league players taking place.

The weekend not only celebrates rugby league which has made a significant contribution to Aboriginal communities, but is very much one of the largest cultural events on the Aboriginal calendar.

It brings the Aboriginal communities together by encouraging and promoting health, community spirit and togetherness for not only Aboriginal Australia but the wider community.

The Blacktrackers are seeking the encouragement and support of the community event by way of sponsorship of the team.

The combined team can assure sponsors of their collective gratitude from the Aboriginal community.

Persons wishing to sponsor this exciting and important cultural event can contact president Ian Kennedy on 0400 357 318 or send donations to Bathurst Aboriginal Rugby Leagues Club (ABN: 82 648 235 126) at 22 Barina Parkway, Kelso, NSW 2795.