Close to 900 young people representing First Nations around the state have come together for PCYC NSW's marquee annual event celebrating culture, reconciliation and sport.

Sydney's west played host to the 10th Nations of Origin tournament this week, with 25 Aboriginal Nations attending via their local Clubs with bragging rights in rugby league, gymnastics, basketball and mixed netball on the line.

The event highlights four major themes; reconciliation, education, cultural identity and sport, PCYC NSW chief executive Ben Hobby told National Indigenous Times.

"This is absolutely our top event of the year every year," he said.

"We've got 152 teams, 25 nations represented, and 46 of our clubs have got representation here this year.

"This is absolutely the marquee event for us every year now."

Mr Hobby credits its foundations to much-loved and widely respected NSW rugby league figure, coach, administrator, development officer and Indigenous youth high-performance pioneer, the late Steve 'Bear' Hall, in 2012.

"He actually put forward the suggestion why couldn't we have a reconciliation type sporting event," Mr Hobby said.

"He said 'why can't we do something similar to state of origin, but do it with youth representing their nations'."

Jayla and Ashley are two young people representing Kamilaroi South with PCYC Gunnedah from the state's north-west.

The pair told National Indigenous Times it's something they've looked forward to through the school year - an opportunity to travel, mix with other kids around the state and play a bit of footy.

"I've made heaps of new friends and seen all the other cultures get together and play," Jayla said.

For young people around the state thinking about getting involved, Ash had a piece of advice.

"It's a good opportunity. Get out there. Have some fun. Don't just be stuck at home all holidays. You can do a lot more things than you think you can," she said.

Kamilaroi South brought a strength of numbers in 2024.

Mr Hobby said although PCYC and their sponsors provide top-up funding, individual Clubs are the ones facilitating the majority required to get themselves there, with considerable success.

For the Gunnedah-based teams, local businesses and organisations dug into their pockets to sponsor individual kids for $1000 each.

Long-volunteer South Kamilaroi volunteer and girl's rugby league coach Emma Costello said more than $30,000 was raised.

It not only got them there, but gave many in their side first-time experiences which might have otherwise been out of reach - like a Sydney Harbour Bridge walk this time around.

Ms Costello said for the kids coming along each year, in addition to sport, "they're seeing their ability to achieve to thrive" and build resilience, confidence and valuable skills for all areas of life on the way to "building that next generation".

"I think it's a double reward. It's a reward for their school pathways, with attendance at school, their behaviours...and the reward is you get to come away, and you get to have these experiences," she said.

Ms Costello said those who have previously come along but are now too old are often keen to stay involved and come along for the younger ones in their community.

Competing teams required to be made up of at least 70 per cent Indigenous kids, each having 80 per cent school attendance, though many are entirely First Nations.

"It's important to show that there's non-identified kids out there that are keen to come and play at these sorts of events as well. And they want to be a part of that building unity and respect within our communities".

It's also a crucial part of the week, Mr Hobby said.

"From a reconciliation perspective, I think the awareness, the visibility, and the appreciation you have from non-Indigenous youth is really, really high."

Non-Indigenous participants require endorsement from local Elders to attend.

In 2024, Governor of New South Wales and PCYC NSW patron Margaret Beazley, Assistant Police Commissioner Gavin Wood, Member for Mount Druitt Mr Edmond Attala, NRLW Newcastle Knights players, and Sydney Kings Klairus Amir were on the list of attendees.

"We want to carry on doing this and we want to continue to elevate it," Mr Hobby said.

"There's a number of different avenues, which I just think this could expand and continue to enlarge over time. We would love to keep this going forever."

PCYC Hawkesbury and the Whalan Reserve, near to Mr Druitt, hosted Nations of Origin between Tuesday and Friday.

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