The team has headed to the competition since its inception in 2005 where they won the first ever Team of the Carnival award for good sportsmanship on and off the field.

Moree Junior Bulls president in 2005 Matthew Haddad said good sportsmanship is something they have always tried to promote.

“It’s just about participation, getting involved and playing the game,” he said.

“We do it because it’s a great opportunity for the kids – it’s seen as a really special thing for them because it’s only Year 6 kids that can go.

“From as soon as they start with the team it’s something they look forward to being a part of.”

Moree Junior Bulls coordinator Cath Keen said the team loves heading to Armidale to take part in the massive competition.

“It is competition from bigger regional centres, they’re playing against kids from all over New South Wales and parts of Queensland,” she said.

“It’s more competition and it’s great for them to see how other kids play and what the standards are.”

Moree has 19 players and four brave fathers ready to take on the competition.

The players are all under 12.

Moree is part of the regional non-competitive tournament and often plays against Armidale.

“We have the furtherest [sic] to travel in our local competition so we’re used to long drives,” Ms Keen said.

“It’s a pretty big commitment for these kids and their parents and they usually do reasonably well.”

The team has been in training for the past six weeks and the players are looking forward to boarding at The Armidale School for the duration of the carnival.

“The kids really enjoy it, they love seeing other parts of the region and that’s a really big draw card for them,” Ms Keen said.

“Part of the big deal for our kids for this weekend in particular is the bus trip there with the dads on board.

“They love getting to stop at Maccas [sic] at Inverell and it’s all part of the camaraderie I think.”