Twenty-three children from the club, along with their parents, travelled to Sydney after being invited by Cricket NSW to take part in a super clinic and attend a match between NSW and Queensland.

Club president Michael Scott said while the trip took four months to organise, the chance for the children to meet several cricket stars would help motivate them to stick with the sport.

“They were over the moon, the happiest I’ve ever seen them,” Mr Scott said.

“We were put into a draw of about 600 clubs, then that was dropped to 300, then 150. Then it was cut to about 15 clubs.

“It was mainly made up of Sydney or Wollongong clubs. We were the only Riverina club (to go). They were pretty lucky.”

With luck on their side, Mr Scott said he hoped the big trip would encourage more youngsters in the area to sign up with the club.

“It’s really motivating for the kids,” he said.

“When we first started (in the club) we only had around 20-odd kids, this year there were 88 who signed up.”

Last Tuesday, three club members met with

the NSW Blue Heelers at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

James Seton, Tamsyn Scott and Bree Scott met with Blue Heelers players and guest of the day, Brett Lee, before being invited to take part in the honour guard at the NSW versus Queensland KFC Twenty20 match the following day.

Donning blue wigs the trio was able to cheer on its cricket idols as they made their way to the pitch.

Before the game, 23 Junee children took to the pitch at ANZ Stadium for a MILO in2Cricket super clinic consisting of games and activities, before taking their seats in the stands.

There are hopes that in the future further opporunities to meet with players would arise, Mr Scott said.

“I’d like to get a few more NSW players to come down,” he said.

“I’d also like the ladies to come down from the Australian or NSW squad to get the girls going a bit.”