DESPITE the pressure of potentially claiming a fourth consecutive under 13 girls’ National Youth Football Championships, NSW Country coach Glenn Stedman, of Orange, said his side is relaxed and ready leading into the carnival next week.

Stedman has coached the NSW Country under 13 side to the last two title wins - the team also claimed one prior to Stedman’s tenure - and will take the girls’ into camp today before heading to Coffs Harbour on Sunday morning.

“We’re happy with the girls we’ve got, we’re happy with their ability, it’s just about fine-tuning now,” Stedman said.

“We head into camp in Sydney [today], and we’ll have four more training sessions there before heading up to Coffs Harbour for the carnival.

“I’m not quite as confident as I was last year, we’re a bit behind, but I think there’s real potential for us to do well.”

Stedman won’t be short of quality help, with former Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock - who made over 120 appearances for Australia - and Mudgee’s Jason Payne on board as assistants.

“They’re good assistants to have,” Stedman said.

“The girls will look up to Heather like nothing else, and she’ll be able to teach them a lot.”

Stedman conceded some anxiety about the side’s performance after a 4-0 trial thrashing at the hands of ACT, but gained plenty of confidence when NSW Country flipped the result in a second practice game, winning 2-0.

“Normally we fight it out with ACT for the pool B title, which we’re competing in again,” Stedman said.

“So that gives us a bit of confidence. We’ve peaked at the right time in the past, hopefully we can do it again. The NSW Country under 15s are also competing, in pool A.

“To be there, the under 13s need to win pool B the year before.”

Bathurst’s Jacinta Windsor, Madison Pearce, Cushla Rue and Laura Risch will both play for NSW Country’s under 13 team, alongside Wellington’s Kimberley Trappett and Kiara Sullivan, Dubbo’s Holly Black and Cowra’s Ginger Oliver.