But, instead of riding the bulls at Newcastle’s Entertainment Centre on Saturday, July 6, the local lad will be fighting them – or distracting the beasts.

Russell has been a PBR Protection Athlete since 2010 and was the 2011 ABCRA champion.

He not only fights the bulls, he also breeds bucking bulls.

Joining Russell on the big stage will be Morpeth’s own Brendon Clark, one of Australia’s most coveted bull riders, who will retire at the end of this season.

He is close to breaking the million dollar mark in career earnings (only the 27th rider in history to do so) – and will hang up his boots at the end of 2013.

During his career, Clark has ridden in twice as many American PBR events (211 to date) as any other Australian in the past.

In 10 previous seasons, the 32-year-old has qualified for the world finals nine times.

The 2013 Newcastle PBR event has been named after him – The Brendon Clark Invitational.

Other “local” riders competing on the night include Thornton’s Troy Wilkinson, who is still number one in the race for the Australian title, Maitland’s Lachlan Richardson who was named PBR’s 2012 Rookie of the Year, and the Farley brothers from Kempsey.

The July 6 event is the first of the July Cup Series, featuring the best bull riders from Australia, Canada and the United States, followed by the Brisbane International a week later.

The 2013 Australian National Finals at the Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, on Saturday, July 20, wraps up the campaign.