It’s the staging ground for junior talent rising through the ranks of the state systems, and for many youngsters its a final chance to prove their skills before beginning their push into the under 17s and opens.

Up to 25 associations contest the development championship title, with more than 5000 players, umpires, managers and coaches arriving at four tournament locations over three days.

For the Charlestown 12U squad, State Age presents a major challenge – the team was promoted to the top grade after their table-topping performances in 2017, and now a host of new faces will look to consolidate that achievement.

Newcastle’s 12U team also contests the top grade at State Age, though they finished 10th in the previous campaign, while their 13U squad placed sixth in firsts.

Charlestown’s 13U team will face a similar climb to their 12Us, as they too move into the competition’s top grade off a 4^th place finish in the previous year. The 13U squad will host many of last year’s first placed 12U players, so high hopes sit in the squad for a similar performance as they come up against improved rivals.

Newcastle’s 14U and 15U squads have remained in the top level of State Age after 6th and 19th place finishes respectively, while Charlestown’s 15U will look to battle for promotion in the tournament’s second division.

Charlestown’s 14U struggled slightly in the 2017 season, dropping to the second grade after a 20th place finish last year saw them in a relegation position in the standings. Charlestown’s 15U will also contest the State Age second division.

Teams contesting the Championship Division will play three days of matches at the Liverpool City association venue, Woodward Park, while all second division squads will attend Camden & District’s courts at the Narellan Sports Hub.

Charlestown 12U: Charlotte Abrahamson, Kienna Clegg, Shakira Collits, Jorja Markovski, Dakota McRae, Elise Mills, Rosie Neat, Reihana Ruming-Tito, Mia Turley.

Newcastle 12U: Charlee Belcher, Olivia Jones, Eve Keeling, Ashlee Kelly, Athiana Kelly, Kirra Pirestley, Tiana Sargeant, Ella Smith, Paige Stalling, Hope White.

Charlestown 13U: Chloe Cook, Maggie Greentree, Brydie Hoad, Bridget Hobden, Kiannah Mansfield, Abbey Morgan, Marnie Robinson, Kayla Stokes, Aela Streatfield, Emma Wyborn.

Newcastle 13U: Holly Cooper, Ella Daly, Emma Dawson, Ruby Gardner, Claudia Gray, Chloe Pattison, Chloe Priestley, Xanthe Rheinberger, Eloise Steele, Grace Watson.

Charlestown 14U: Amy Aurisch, Reynah Barnard, Ciara Croese, Amali Fitzhenry, Dakoda Kerr, Hayley O’Brien, Ella Ross, Mireama Ruming-Tito, Ruby Sharpe, Isabelle Thwaites.

Newcastle 14U: Ella Angeli, Savannah Angelozzi, Ella Butcher, Georgia Chapple, Lashelle Holland, Briella Hynes, Samantha Keogh, Kate Love, Mercydes Metcalf, Ryvah Shoesmith.

Charlestown 15U: Madison Callan, Ellen Chenery, Leilani Fisher, Isabelle Hales, Shelley Hill, Tahlee Jones, Paris Ma’anaima, Holly McGhee, Amity Petersen, Ally Smith.

Newcastle 15U: Caitlyn Doherty, Lexy Holz, Tara Jackson, Eliza Johnson, Abbie Leyshon, Emrah Manning, Tara O’Connor, Zoe Peden, Mackenzie Stuart, Kloe Young.