Juniors playing for Bourke, Coonamble, Narromne, Gulargambone and Walgett will rub shoulders in Mudgee after they were picked for the Western Plains Under 11s State Gala Squad.

The 18-player team was announced following the Bourke Junior Rams Gala Day on Sunday 22 June, where over 40 talented young rugby players trialled for a spot.

They will face regional and metropolitan teams from zones across the state on 19-20 July.

"Obviously distance is an issue for playing any sort of sport in this part of the world, so the group with the under elevens will go to Mudgee on the Friday before and do some training," Western Plains zone president Tim Whiteley said.

"They'll meet each other and have a bit of fun, grab a jersey and then roll into the tournament on the Saturday and Sunday."

The two-day competition will involve 30 teams, with Western Plains playing six games.

The action at the gala day. IMAGE: Bourke Rams Junior Union Club

They'll hope for a warmer tournament than the under 13s side played at Orange in early June, where freezing temperatures forced some players off the field.

The under 12s squad will play their state gala in Forster-Tuncurry at around mid-July after the initial date on the June long weekend was postponed due to flooding.

Mr Whiteley says fresh rugby union players are coming into the younger grades, with hopes that the zone will be able to field sides from under 11s to 14s in 2026.

"Western Plains kids in their families and their parents, their commitment to sport in general, to travel and be involved, to give their kids the opportunity to experience rugby and be involved, is the highlight," Mr Whiteley said.

The 2025 Western Plains Under 13s squad is:

• Jack Welsh (Gulargambone)

• Digby Flinn (Macquarie Emus)

• Ted Robertson (Narromine)

• Oliver Goldsmith (Gulargambone)

• Jaggar Smith (Narromine)

• Albert Anderson (Narromine)

• Sonny Bowden (Bourke)

• Bede Redden (Narromine)

• Edward Heckendorf (Macquarie Emus)

• Alex Roberts (Narromine)

• George Denston (Macquarie Emus)

• Oliver Van Boheemen (Walgett)

• Jessica Timmins (Walgett)

• Franco Mostert (Bourke)

• Archie Andrews (Coonamble)

• Patrick Stanley (Narromine)

• William Birtles (Gulargambone)

• Porshca Peters (Gulargambone)