Six schools across New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland will represent the Blues and Maroons as the Ampol Little Origin initiative returns during the Ampol State of Origin Series this year.

Ampol Little Origin gives registered participants of NRL Rugby League school programs the chance to wear the Blues or Maroons jersey at Games 1, 2 and 3 of the Ampol State of Origin Series.

Ampol Little Origin winners will be invited to take part in an official NRL clinic, gain access to an NRL League Stars learning session, experience a stadium tour in their city, and have an opportunity to play on the field at halftime at an Origin game, representing either New South Wales or Queensland.

The winners will also receive a $5,000 grant from Ampol to aid with school initiatives and help develop the up and coming league stars.

Ampol’s Chief Brand Officer, Jenny O’Regan, said: “We are proud to see the Ampol Little Origin series return in 2022 during the Ampol State of Origin Series.”

“It is a privilege to provide an opportunity for young students at schools like Lockridge Primary School to play their beloved game of rugby league on one of the biggest stages in Australian sport.

“Not only does Ampol Little Origin provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for future rugby stars, the $5,000 school grant helps to provide the much-needed funding required to support grassroots community initiatives and improve the quality of education for young children.

“We were pleased to provide $50,000 in grants to Australian primary schools in 2021 and are excited to continue making an impact in 2022.

“We look forward to seeing the Ampol Little Origin participants on the field to light up halftime in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane during what will be a historic Ampol State of Origin Series in 2022,” said O’Regan.

Game 1 of the Ampol State of Origin Series in Sydney will see Sussex Inlet Public School play Macarthur Adventist College at Accor Stadium, while Lockridge Primary School will play South Halls Head Primary at Optus Stadium at Game 2.

Woodridge North State School and Baringa State Primary School will close the 2022 Ampol Little Origin series when they play at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for Game 3.

Ampol Little Origin will also be played at the Ampol Women’s State of Origin at GIO Stadium in Canberra, with the selected ACT schools yet to be announced.