The position is one of the most highly coveted posts in NSW country rugby and Thomas has been awarded the role after four successful seasons with the Newcastle under 20s union side.

The 'Colts' side is selected out of a pool of players from eight zones in rural NSW and competes against teams representing Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.

Thomas hopes that he will be able to bring success to the squad after a period of downturn for NSW in recent seasons.

"The team hasn't had a lot of success over the past few years but I'm very confident that we can turn it around," he said.

Much of that confidence comes from experiencing a great deal of success during his time at Newcastle, and he believes he will be able to bring some of that to the NSW side.

Thomas coached the side to a grand final victory in the 2009 Country Championships and was runner up in 2010.

"Over the last two years in Newcastle we've conceded something like 40 points all-up," he said.

He said that the appointment was "not particularly surprising," considering the overall success of the Hunter region in NSW rugby. Having been involved in the Australian Rugby Union Pathway to Gold Squad, a training and mentoring program used to develop exciting young prospects, he certainly has a strong pedigree. Thomas also completed a six-month advanced coaching program with the NSW Waratahs in 2009. While the new coach was unwilling to be drawn on the possibility of any Port Stephens representation in the side, Nelson Bay player Dylan Rowney was chosen in 2010 and it is likely that the area will be well represented again this year.