Day One of PCYC's Nations of Origin kicked off on Monday, marking another year of cultural pride, community spirit and sporting excellence.

Uniting First Nations and non-Indigenous youth from across NSW, the event takes place over four days at PCYC Hawkesbury and Whalan Reserve.

Nations of Origin is an Under 16s sporting tournament founded by PCYC NSW, a community-led youth charity and the largest provider of community sports and recreation in NSW.

Supported by Elders and local volunteers, Nations of Origin empowers the next generation to embrace culture, build connections, and strengthen community.

Celebrating its eleventh year, Nations of Origin will host 1,200 participants competing in netball, gymnastics, rugby league, and basketball throughout the week.

All 188 teams, endorsed by local Elders, consist of a 70-30 split of First Nations and non-First Nations youth, with 24 First Nations communities from across the state represented.

Among the young athletes is Alirah, representing Biripi Nation in gymnastics. Alongside her team, she competed in tumbling, mini trampolines and floor.

For her, community is the greatest perk of Nations of Origin.

"I like meeting new people and learning new stuff about them, and making new friends and competing in your culture," she said.

"I really like my club and I like the people that compete in it with me, so I'd like to have another chance to compete with them again."

On the netball courts, Broken Hill High School's Darlene and Mervyn are both new and returning participants.

Darlene has returned as a supervisor after ageing out of the program, with competing divisions limited to Under 16.

"I chose to come back, because we don't have many cultural activities back home," Darlene explained.

"This is one way to come and represent our people and just to be together as one, and have all the different nations be together. It just feels so good to be here as people and Aboriginal."

Mervyn, a Barkindji Eagles player and first-time participant, described the experience, saying "It's pretty good, because being from a real small town that hardly no one knows about, it's good to come out and represent your culture".

PCYC CEO, Ben Hobby, commended the hard work of the participants leading up to the event.

"Nations of Origin is the culmination of months-long work for young people to qualify to be here…They all compete, and they also are reminded of their culture, their identity and how they can be proud by representing their First Nation identity," he said.

"It's a very special event. I think it's very unique. There's nothing quite like it to bring 1200 young people from all across the state, from every little corner. We operate PCYC in 66 locations right across the state. So we invite all young people to participate.

"One thing that I think is important about this event is that it's not a handout. It's not something that they just get given because they want to come. They have to qualify to be here."

Participants must meet three criteria to compete in the event: an 80 per cent minimum school attendance, no outstanding issues with the police and a connection with their local Elders. Endorsement from their Elders is especially central to their participation, with Elders approving team names and jersey designs.

Mr Hobby said these criteria uphold PCYC's values of culture, community and education.

"It's following one of the mantras that we have at PCYC, and that we want young people to be connected to their community and to their Elders, and that's really important for us," he said.

"We're really trying to build a respect for young people towards others in their community who are contributing towards their success. And so when you mould those things all together, it gives them something higher to aspire to."

Following the recent conclusion of NAIDOC Week, Mr Hobby said that this year's theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', reflects the spirit of PCYC.

"The theme is just perfect for what we're trying to accomplish at Nations of Origin," he said.

"We're trying to show young people that they have something higher to aspire to."

As Nations of Origin continues through the week, the event promises to inspire cultural pride, build lifelong friendships, and showcase the transformative power of sport.

PCYC NSW's Nations of Origin runs from 14 July to 17 July. Donations to the event can be made online.