Jimboomba Thunder selects under nine dream team to contest Paul Bowman Challenge in Proserpine

This year is the first time Jimboomba will take part in the Paul Bowman Challenge at Proserpine, where 80 teams are registered for the junior competition.

The carnival will be held during the first week of school holidays from September 21 to 22

Coach Matt Poelitz said the 14-strong under nine team was training twice a week for the next five weeks in anticipation of the North Queensland challenge.

"This will be a good experience for the kids because we don't have many carnivals...normally they play for the fun of it but this carnival will be a competition," he said.

"These kids are very keen, they were selected because they want to play football and they listen and do as they are told.

"This is an opportunity for the kids and hopefully they will take it with both hands."

The Jimboomba Thunder selected the best 14 players from their three under nine teams to contest the carnival.

Coach Poelitz said the Jimboomba team would play according to their strengths.

"We are more of a defensive side...we are planning to work on our defense and win a game," he said.

Last year, the Chambers Flat Mustangs fielded a side for the Proserpine competition which was contested by 72 teams.

The Paul Bowman Challenge is expected to feature ambassadors from the North Queensland Cowboys.