About 100 Port Stephens youths will don jumpers of yellow and sky blue and represent the Worimi nation across five sports when the tournament returns June 29 to July 2.

"It's a special gathering and the kids love it," Hunter River High School Aboriginal education officer Brooke Roach said.

"Sport aside, what makes this tournament special is the inclusiveness. Kids from all over NSW get a chance to meet each other, share in each other's culture, meet elders. It's special for Port Stephens to be able to host this event."

Roach has been involved in coordinating Worimi teams in the tournament since it was first staged in 2015, a role he has taken on again this year as well as recruiting coaches and managers. He will also coach one of Worimi's four under-16 rugby league teams taking part in the 2021 tournament.

Nations of Origin brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous youths together in teams that represent the Aboriginal nations in which they live in one of the tournament's sporting events: Rugby League 7's, Football 5's, Basketball, Netball and for the first time this year, Gymnastics.

More than just a sporting event, Nations of Origin promotes culture, education, reconciliation and leadership.

Each team is made up of 70 per cent Indigenous and 30 per cent non-Indigenous youths to encourage a cultural exchange and to be eligible to participate, each student must have an 80 per cent school attendance rate.

PCYC NSW chief executive officer Dominic Teakle said that the tournament also helps to "helps to break down barriers that can exist between police and young people".

Look back at the 2019 tournament:

The tournament was last held in 2019 and saw 1400 youths and more than 300 support volunteers take part. About 1300 youths representing 20 Aboriginal nations are expected to participate this year.

"Last year we had a lot of young people asking whether it was on and there was disappointment that it wasn't. The anticipation is really high this year," Port Stephens PCYC club manager Travis Douglass said.

"Nations of Origin is an opportunity for young people who may not be able to participate in a sporting event like this. It brings a lot of people who would never normally come this far to our town. Back in 2019 there was some people who visited from Walgett that had never seen the beach before.

"We're lucky to host this event in our own backyard. For the Worimi players, it's like welcoming someone into their home."

As it has since 2015, the Port will host the rugby league - the largest event of the tournament - and the netball. The action will, however, move from Raymond Terrace this year to the Bay for the first time.

League will be played at Salamander Bay Sports Complex Tuesday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 30 between 8am and 4.30pm.

An opening ceremony will be held at 11am on June 29, which will be attended by dignitaries including NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.

Netball will be played at the Nelson Bay courts on June 30 between 8.30am and 4pm.

Students from right across the Worimi nation have been recruited to play in the tournament, with a large contingent hailing from Hunter River High School.

Xanthe Roach, 14, played netball in the 2019 tournament. This year she will be lining up in Worimi's rugby league teams.

"I'm looking forward to it. You get to play with your mates and get to meet heaps of other people around your age," Xanthe reflected on her experience with the tournament.

Cody Hancock, 16, played futsal in 2019 and will play for one of Worimi's two under-16 boys rugby league teams this year.

"I can't wait," he said. "I love the culture of it. Nations of Origin is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. You get to meet a lot of people and it's football. I love football."

The Football 5's will be played in Speers Point on Thursday, July 1; the basketball in Broadmeadow on Friday, July 2; and the gymnastics at PCYC Maitland on July 2.

Port Stephens Council, a sponsor of the event, stated that it was "thrilled" to be hosting Nations of Origin again this year following its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19.

"Port Stephens has a large sporting community and we are proud to host an event that focuses on the values of education, a healthy lifestyle and the camaraderie between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth across a range of sporting events," a council spokesperson told the Examiner.

"With visitors traveling from across NSW, the event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our unique landscape share everything Nelson Bay has to offer."

The Aboriginal nations set to participated in 2021 PCYC Nations of Origin include: Awabakal, Barkindjii, Biripi, Bundjalung, Darkinjung, Darug, Dharawal, Eora, Gamilaraay, Gumbaynggir, Kamilaroi, Ngemba, Tharawal, Wiradjuri, Wonnarua, Ngambri, Darkinjung, Birpai, Yaegl, Dunghutti and Worimi.

For more information of the 2021 PCYC Nations of Origin go to: pcycnsw.org.au/programs/nations-of-origin

Nations of Origin culminates around NAIDOC Week, which this year will be observed July 4-11.

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