“We’ve both played for NSW at national championships before but we’ve never done it at the same time in the same state, let alone the same city,” Mac enthused.

“We’ve spoken about it a lot at home and to be able to do that and have the entire family there as well, it’s pretty special for us.

“With me being in year 12 this was the last chance we were going to get in terms of school sport as well, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

Mac, 18, and Eva, 16, will represent NSW All Schools’ open softball and under 16s hockey sides respectively.

Mac, at Canobolas Rural Technology High School, inspired NSW to last year’s national title and said defending that crown is his, and the powerhouse outfit’s goal.

“Playing for All Schools last year was a blast, we were lucky enough to win the gold medal so I think we’d have to be one of the favourites this year,” he said.

“I think we’ll do well, hopefully we can justify that tag and defend the title.”

Eva, who goes to Orange High, will make her under 16s All Schools debut and she’s looking to help NSW go one step further this year, the sky blues finished second in 2016.

“Extremely,” she smiled, when asked how pumped up she is.

“We’ve got a pretty good side, I think I’ve played with everyone before in NSW sides outside of school, except for one who’s from Queensland, so I think we’ll do pretty well.”

As proud a big brother as you’d find anywhere, Mac said being able to watch his little sister play at this level is something he’s really looking forward to. 

“It is, it’s really cool. I don’t get to watch Eva play at the national level much, I think I’ve only been able to once so I’m really excited to be able to support her,” he said.

“I have been able to watch Mac at a few of his national championships but [having everyone there] for this one is really exciting,” Eva added.

While there’s no Australian Schoolboys team for Mac to potentially get picked in, there is a girls’ equivalent in Eva’s under 16s division.

“I guess it is a goal but I’ll just try and play well first, hopefully we can win the tournament and then we’ll see what happens after that,” she smiled.

There is a bigger picture for Mac as well though.

With several excellent performances recently he’s put himself in great stead to be named in Australia’s side for next year’s International Softball Federation Junior World Championship in Canada.

“The last stage of selection for the Australian side is at the national championships in January, they’ll name the world championship side straight after that tournament,” he explained.

“It’s worked out well the Pacific School Games have fallen a bit under two months before the nationals, this will be a good way to keep the engine ticking over.

“It’s also a great chance to have some fun with guys I’ve played a lot of softball with though, meet some new people too and, obviously, hopefully bring back a gold medal.”

The Reith-Snares will head to Adelaide on December 1, the Pacific School Games run from December 3-10.​