St Joseph's High Aberdeen, Singleton High and Scone High locked horns in the under-13 Michael Hagan premiership qualifier, while St Joseph's High Aberdeen and Singleton High went head-to-head in the under-15 Marc Glanville equivalent.

"It's a shame Muswellbrook High and Scone High pulled out of the older age group," NRL game development officer - Central Hunter NSW Daniel Swan said.

"But, there are still some great players in action [today].

"The highest-placed teams will advance to the next round at the Lakeside Sporting Complex, Raymond Terrace, on Thursday, June 6.

"From there, the winners of the under-13s and under-15s head to McDonald Jones Stadium, the home of the Newcastle Knights, for the finals on June 25.

"I'd like to thank the Group 21 Referees Association and the Muswellbrook Rams Junior Rugby League Football Club for hosting the event.

"It's terrific to receive that kind of support."

The two schoolboy competitions are named after a couple of well-respected league stalwarts.

Hagan, a Queensland State of Origin representative half, played a combined 183 first grade games for the Canterbury Bulldogs (72) and Knights (111), later coaching Newcastle to an NRL title in 2001.

He was inducted into the Newcastle Knights Hall of Fame in 2012.

A Country Origin star, Glanville made 188 appearances for the Knights after a brief stint with the St George Dragons.

He is currently part of the KOFM's McDonald's Call Team.