A GROUP of young Port Macquarie footballers will have the biggest game of their young lives in a couple of weeks' time.
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The Port FC under nine Adders will take to the field at Hunter Stadium to play in front of a big crowd at half time in the A League match between Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners.
The team won a Northern NSW Football competition to play on November 14.
It will me a huge thrill, as many of them have never been to an A League game.
The club has bolstered the Adders' numbers to give them the required 16 players for the big night.
The Adders are coached by father-daughter duo Nikki Stafford and Col Purcell. They couldn't be prouder of their bunch of little champions.
Stafford said it mightn't be the first time the players take to the park at Hunter.
"Maybe one day we'll pay to watch them play professionally," she said.
The kids are busting to lace up the boots and hit the park.
"I don't think they know how big it is," Stafford said of the night in front of them.
The news that the team had won the competition came at precisely the right time. Stafford and Purcell were already in the process of organising a trip to the A League.
A couple of parents who were in the know wanted to keep the news a secret until it was confirmed, but one little player couldn't help but tell all his mates at the touch footy.
The Adders play touch together in the football off season.
They have been together for three years.
That age group is non- competitive, but they keep track of the scores every week.
Stafford said the competition win was well deserved.
"They're a really good bunch of kids who we enjoy coaching.
"I'm going to be so proud of them on the day."
"We'll both be so proud to see them enjoying the whole experience.
"To go and play as a team at half time on the pitch is something they'll never forget."