But Mittagong Lions have found a way to make that transition period easier for their junior players.

Now in its third year, the pathways program has provided junior players with the opportunity to experience how senior sides train and prepare for games.

For the past few weeks, junior teams have participated in training drills and game reviews with the seniors.

Reserve grade coach Billy Hayward said it was a great program that also helped promote social relationships between senior and junior members of the club.

“We found we’ve got a lot out of it and it’s got bigger and stronger each year,” he said.

“It’s a network thing too for the junior kids to embrace the senior people. We try to have that little bit of a relationship so outside of football you’ve got that personal friendship there.”

The juniors involved with the program will also get a game day experience on July 1 where they will be able to go into the sheds before the game and at halftime, observe the warm ups and hear the coaches and captains’ speeches.

“They get an understanding of what to expect in the senior system.”

Hayward said there were a couple of players who had become a part of the first grade team because of the pathways program.