Under the well-respected gaze of coach Jim Sheedy, Alex Lindsay, Jack and Caitlin Playford and Nat Lindsay will put the finishing touched on their preparation.

“The focus has been more on fitness at the state training squad camps. While this weekend it will be a chance for the kids to focus more on their skills and just fine-tuning,” Sheedy said.

“They have got some skill sets they need to work on, but given we are only a couple of weeks out from nationals I don’t want any injuries either.”

Ten students will don the gi and hit the mat as they attempt to focus on strategies that will at least pass the first round.

“We have got a pretty good idea of who they are going to match-up against from other states so we can work out game plans for each of them this weekend as well,” Sheedy said.

“People like Alex, who will in he seniors very soon, given he is nearly too old for cadets.

“So this is a real transition into the seniors. And Ideally they need a good skill base and to keep them uninjured and to keep them in the sport.”

New South Wales has a strong history at the national titles but what makes Sheedy’s students this weekend special is that many of them are from Wellington.

“But there have not been any other kids from regional areas lately to make the nationals and much of it because they have a supportive club and they are willing to travel to events,” Sheedy said.

“They’ve been nurtured and have not been pushed along too much too soon.”