THE State Country Championships are fast approaching, and the Port Lincoln association is sending four teams.

The carnival is the largest in South Australia and is held annually on the first weekend of September.

This year’s event is being hosted by Mildura and about 50 teams will compete from towns and cities throughout the state.

Although the Port Lincoln boys were met with fierce competition last year, talent scouts still selected two players for the State country squad.

The girls in the under 16s ranged in age from 11 to 16 and against all odds excelled; winning a silver medal with two players also selected for the State country team and one for the State squad.

This year Port Lincoln will be sending four teams, training and selection started this week.

Port Lincoln has nominated Port Lincoln as 2009’s Country Championship hosts, which will give many more aspiring players the change to compete on with a home town advantage.

The championships not only attract the best young players in the State but there will also be representatives from Football Federation SA, State talent scouts and hopefully a player or two from the A League.