For the third consecutive year, Port Stephens Council will co-host the NSW Under-17 Country Carnival.

The council's tourism and events co-ordinator, Kim Latham, said the event's return was a reflection of the amenities available in Raymond Terrace.

"Port Stephens is growing a reputation as an ideal location for a range of sports events," Ms Latham said. "But the U17 Country Carnival is a real coup because it puts Raymond Terrace on the radar of one of the state's most elite sporting bodies."

The carnival, a major part of the representative cricket program which helped launch the careers of Adam Gilchrist, Phillip Hughes and Josh Hazelwood, will be held at King Park Sporting Complex between October 31 and November 2. Teams from eight regional zones from across NSW will play in the three-day round robin tournament.

Brandon Smith, 17, from the Raymond Terrace Lions District Cricket Club will captain and play in the carnival at the weekend for Central North.

"I've been captain the past couple of years," Smith, from Boat Harbour, said. "The team is mostly guys I know and played with since under-17s."

Smith, who plays A-grade with the Lions, said he believed the under-17 side would do better this year as it had a much stronger batting line-up.

From the carnival, two country NSW under-17 teams will play in the NSW State Challenge against two metropolitan teams. Two state teams will go on to the under-17 National Championship.