So much so, it made life difficult for the selectors in naming the under-12 development squad, as well as the under-13, under-14 and under-15 outfits for the upcoming rep season.

"It was hard to pick the sides," Hunter Valley Group 21 Junior Rugby League president Peter Emery admitted.

"Everyone trialled well but, unfortunately, we can't fit all the players - from Aberdeen, Denman, Muswellbrook, Scone and Singleton - in.

"There were a few unlucky ones to miss out."

The under-12s, coached by Tom Hagan, the Steve Haylen-led under-13s, the Scott Pennell-mentored under-14s and the under-15s, overseen by Peter Warden, will all showcase their skills at the annual Hunter Cup at Denman this month.

The two older line-ups, aided by a couple of trials, then head to Port Macquarie for the Country Championships on September 21 and 22.

"It's a great pathway for our youngsters," Emery said.

"You only have to look at someone like Scone's Jock Madden, who came through the system.

"He's now at the Wests Tigers after a stint with the Newcastle Knights.

"The Country Championships will be a hunting ground for scouts, so it's a terrific opportunity for all of them."

The Group 21 selection process also uncovered a rare find.

Denman's Ella Bridge made the cut for the under-12 development squad - earning a place in the record books.

"She's the first female player, in the history of Group 21 JRL, to warrant a berth in a rep team," Emery said.

"She's been playing since the under-6s.

"Ella doesn't shy away from defence and competes at every level, so she deserved her spot."

The Hunter Cup will undergo a positive change in 2019, too, according to Emery.

"We're catering for girls' under-14 and under-16 league tag divisions," he said.

"So, it's an exciting time for female players in the region.

"My thanks go to the committee and, in particular, rep secretary Hayley Pennell.

"It was a massive effort to get it (league tag) off the ground at this event."

Under-12 development (coach Tom Hagan): Leroy Baker (Muswellbrook), Ella Bridge (Denman), Toby Brown (Scone), Jayden Brumby (Singleton), Logan Cushieri (Scone), Tyla Fear (Scone), Riley Fitzsimmons (Singleton), Jack Gilmore (Singleton), Diesel Hagan (Denman), Lochie Hails (Scone), Eden Hampstead (Singleton), Jacob Hamson (Singleton), Bailey Hartley (Muswellbrook), Toby Jamieson (Denman), Darcy Large (Denman), Charlie Lennard (Singleton), Nate Rothall (Singleton), Jayden Seckold (Scone), Roy Simpson (Scone), Darcy Wallace (Denman)

Under-13 (coach Steve Haylen): Isaac Adamthwaite (Singleton), Ashton Blake (Denman), Sam Carr (Scone), Bailey Davidson (Scone), Jack Foley (Scone), Paris Forbes (Singleton), Jack Haylen (Muswellbrook), Aiden Horton (Denman), Naite Howlett (Singleton), Dylan Keane (Scone), Blake Liverton (Scone), Luke Marco (Muswellbrook), Cooper Meldrum (Singleton), Campbell Munn (Scone), Heath Pittman (Scone), Nick Robinson (Muswellbrook), Cohen Shaw (Muswellbrook), Jackson Smith (Scone), Julian Stewart (Singleton), Tyler Ward (Singleton)

Under-14 (coach Scott Pennell): Tyler Baldwin (Singleton), Rylan Barndon (Muswellbrook), Bryce Bateman (Scone), Jacob Cordina (Scone), Callum Dowell (Scone), Jayke Fletcher (Scone), Braedon Hails (Scone), Deacon Hampstead (Singleton), Talon Harrington (Scone), Ethan Holland (Singleton), Matthew Lackenby (Muswellbrook), Riley Pennell (Scone), Brady Roser (Scone), Jaxon Schafer (Muswellbrook), Jarrod Small (Muswellbrook), Mykola Trofymenko (Scone), Cohen Watson (Denman), Aajay Watts (Scone), Tully Wholert (Singleton)

Under-15 (coach Peter Warden): Jake Clydsdale (Scone), Tom Donehue (Singleton), Lawson Enosa (Aberdeen), Tom Dahmes (Scone), Eli Foote (Singleton), Mitchell Galvin (Aberdeen), Callum Goodwin (Aberdeen), Ben Halliwell (Aberdeen), Josh Halliwell (Aberdeen), Corben Hampstead (Singleton), Fergus Hartmann (Scone), Tevita Holaafolau (Scone), Malik Hunt (Aberdeen), Ben Jones (Aberdeen), Matt Jones (Aberdeen), Mitchell Kemp (Aberdeen), Hunter Marsh (Denman), Connor Newman (Scone), Jordan Sutton (Aberdeen), Junuh Warden (Scone)