Young footballers from around the state had the chance of a lifetime today when dual premiership captain Tom Harley took to the field as an umpire for the annual PSSA carnival.

Harley joined more than 280 school students at Blacktown Olympic Park for the annual AFL carnival to umpire the match between Barrier and Sydney South West.

The event, which is being held at Blacktown Olympic Park from May 18 to 20, is the biggest primary school based sports carnival run by the PSSA bringing some students to Sydney for the very first time.

Over the course of the year schools have played one another in PSSA matches with the most promising players chosen from 13 regions to play at the new home of AFL in Sydney’s West.

Harley was on hand to speak to the players and their parents providing encouragement and congratulations to the developing young footballers and of course spread the word about mighty Team GWS!

Former Sydney Swans Captain and Brownlow medallist Paul Kelly even snuck down to the carnival to sign a few autographs and spread the GWS word. In the end it was a great day for all involved.

Team GWS is committed to providing opportunities for developing young talent from across the state and applauds the hard work of the PSSA.