The Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union Club members selected for the Hunter Wildfires, spanning from under-12s to under-18s, are itching to get back on the field after missing out on representative football last year due to the pandemic and only playing eight club games.

"I missed the competition. I love competing, especially at that higher level," Nelson Bay junior Sam Mitchell, aged 16, said.

"We only got to play a couple of games last year so to have everything looking like it's going to go ahead this year is great."

Mitchell, who has been selected for representative duties for the past six years, is one of three junior Gropers picked for the Wildfires' under-18 team, alongside Lewis Affleck and Kai Vincent.

Jed Smith, aged 14, is one of nine junior Gropers selected to play in the Wildfires' under-15 squad, which also has Nelson Bay coach Clint Brown and manager Michelle Smith on staff.

Smith, who has been selected for Wildfires duties for the past five years, said he missed playing representative footy last year.

"I kept training though, to stay fit," he said. "Playing at the higher level is great. It helps you improve your skills."

Also selected in the Wildfires' under-15 squad is: Corey McDougall, Darcy Brown, Ethan Howarth, Hunter Westwood, Lucas Bakker, Oscar Affleck, Hayden Wilson and Tyler Jarvis.

One of the Bay club's youngest representatives, Rory Tyacke, aged 12, said he was happy to be selected for a second year.

"I like playing at the higher level," he said. "I'm excited to play again."

Tyacke, who has ambitions to play for the Wallabies one day, and fellow junior Groper Edmilson Neculman will play in the Wildfires' under-12 squad.

In under-13s, Anakin Richardson will represent the Bay; in under-14s Jacob Affleck and; under-16s Alex Howarth, Mason Atkinson, Connor Martel and Bay assistant coach Troy Atkinson.

The Wildfires teams, made up with the best club players from across the Hunter, will play in the NSW Country Junior Rugby Championships which is set down for early May.

From this, players have the opportunity to be selected to represent the Hunter in the NSW Junior Rugby Union State Championship to be held in June.

"As a club we had some significant challenges during 2019 due to COVID," Nelson Bay club secretary Kellie Vincent said.

"We were only able to compete in eight of the 10 rounds last year due to a local case, so all our players had reduced game time.

"We are very proud of all our players who trialed and were successful in selection this year in this very competitive competition, and our coaches who have demonstrated high level of success to coach at this level."

Vincent said the club is looking forward to a full competition this season, and is working with the senior Gropers club to integrate its under-18 players into the premier grade.

This season, the junior Gropers club has about 200 kids under-8 to under-18 registered to play in the Hunter Junior Rugby Union competition which kicks off on April 17.

The club is looking to recruit more under-13 and under-17 girls for a 10-a-side winter competition, following on from a successful Summer 7s Series. For more information or to register phone Leigh on 0435 818 861.

Registration for all teams is still open. Register at myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au. With the Active Kids voucher, registration costs $100 which includes shorts, training tee and socks.

Training for the season has started and is shared between John Nell Oval at Tomaree Sports Complex and Bill Strong Oval.

The junior Gropers club will host some of the NSW Country Junior Rugby Championships games at Tomaree Sports Complex. The under-12, 13 and 14 age groups will play in the Bay on May 15-16.

"This is a major event and generates some income for the club and community. It brings in over 1000 visitors to the area from all over the state and requires volunteers to help run it successfully," Vincent said.

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