The club is set to have two First Grade teams taking to the field in the Highlands District Cricket Association competition.

Read: Robertson Cricket Club earn a rebate for every T20 World Cup 2020 ticket they sell

Read Further: The Mittagong Cricket Club are looking for players for the 2020/21 season

Read More: Moss Vale Domino's Pizza set to hold 'doughraiser' for Moss Vale Cricket Club

Not since Bowral Cricket Club entered two First Grade teams for a single season at the turn of the century has this happened in the local competition.

RBCC President, Aaron de Jager said the club has decided to enter a second First Grade team - the Robertson Burrawang 'Colts' - following lengthy discussions with captains and players during the off season.

"We are delighted to enter a second First Grade team this summer," de Jager said.

"With the probable inclusion of Moss Vale into the First Grade competition after an eight year absence, this will make First Grade a six team competition, which is obviously great for the sport in the Highlands."

RBCC have been the benchmark team in First Grade cricket in the local competition now for over a decade.

Winning six of the last nine premierships, whilst being runner-up in the other three.

But, it is the development of RBCC junior players which has led to this year's historic entering of a second team.

"We have worked very hard at developing junior cricketers for quite some time now and currently have a group of 16-19 year olds who started playing with us in the old Milo In2Cricket program as six or seven year old kids" de Jager said.

"These young players have worked their way though our junior grades and were the core of our victorious Second Grade team last year, with a handful of them tasting First Grade action.

"With our established players in the First Grade squad continuing to play great cricket, if we want to give these young players a chance at playing First Grade consistently, we had no other option than to enter a second First Grade team".

The Colts team will be led by 22 year old Tom Angel, who first played Grade Cricket with RBCC in 2011 as a 13 year old.

"We are looking forward to the challenge of playing First Grade this year", Angel said.

"Although we have a very young side, with the exception of a few guys like Adam Kich, Steve Fairbairn and Zac Clewett who have plenty of First Grade games under their belt.

"What we lack in experience will be made up in enthusiasm.

"Our guys are keen for the challenge of week in, week out, First Grade cricket.

"Players such as Nic Wilson, Dale Young, Charles Whatman and Cameron Clay have been standouts for us in Second Grade for a couple of years now and are looking forward to testing themselves in the top Grade."

RBCC's primary First Grade team, with Nathan Wright entering his 15th season as Captain, will be named the Robertson Burrawang 'Bulls'.

Wright expressed his excitement at having his club-mates make the step up to First Grade.

"It's fantastic for the competition and great for our club to have another Robertson team in First Grade," Wright said.

"These kids have some talent and a handful of them have earned their First Grade debuts over the past couple of seasons.

"For them to now have the chance to play each week and learn and improve their games in the top grade is a great opportunity".

The newly named Bulls team have retained the majority of their core squad for another season with the skipper's younger brothers, hard hitting batsman Ben Wright and all-rounder Mitchell Wright returning, as well as experienced campaigners Matt Cupitt and Nathan Ring again donning the whites.

The return of young paceman Blake Denney, who has returned to his junior club following three seasons in the Sydney Premier Grade competition with St.George is a major boost for the Club.

Robertson Burrawang have returned to Pre Season training for all senior players which takes place on Thursday afternoons from 4pm and Saturday mornings from 10am at the Hampden Park Cricket Nets.

Robertson, with new and returning players are welcome.

The annual trial game for the 'Bob Cupitt Shield' vs. Tahmoor Cricket Club is taking place this Saturday 26^th September at Tourist Road Oval, Glenquarry.

The Highlands District First Grade competition returns this summer with Round 1 matches scheduled to take place on Saturday October 10th

Robertson Burrawang Cricket Club thank our sponsors for the 2020/21 Season;

Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.