The countdown to the annual AAMI City-Country clash in Wollongong on May 2 will feature one of the biggest celebrations of bush footy in the history of the game.

The announcement of the VB Gold Country Origin team tonight will kick-start a week-long celebration that features the naming of the NSW Country Team of the Century, regional celebrations in Dubbo, a museum opening in Wagga Wagga, Country Origin team appearances in Wollongong and City Origin team appearances in Kiama.

“This is a significant week for country Rugby League and it will be great for fans to support the events taking place and to come out and support the Country Origin team against City,” VB Gold Country Origin coach Laurie Daley said.

The Country Origin team will be announced tonight at Toyota Stadium following the NRL clash between the Sharks and Tigers with the team to assemble in Wollongong on Monday afternoon ahead of a series of public promotions.

Further west, on Tuesday, April 29, Dubbo will host the third of 10 Harvey Norman Regional Celebrations that are being staged across country NSW and Queensland.

Following on from the success of celebrations in Nowra and Toowoomba, more than 25 former greats from western NSW who have represented either their state or Australia will assemble in Dubbo for the day-long celebration. 

Joining them will be members of the all-conquering Western Division team that famously won the 1974 AMCO Cup, while country music sensations The McClymonts will also be performing.

More than 10,000 country fans have visited the regional Rugby League history exhibitions with 3000 fans having already converged on the Dubbo exhibition in the lead-up to the regional celebration.

On Wednesday, April 30, the Country Rugby League will honour its heroes with the naming of the NSW Country Team of the Century at a gala event in Wollongong.

On Thursday, May 1, Wagga Wagga will unveil its regional Rugby League history exhibition with local heroes Greg Hawick and David Barnhill to officially open the display that will stay open for two weeks and culminate with their major regional celebration at Gissing Oval on May 14.

Also on Thursday, in Kiama, the City Origin team will unveil a Centenary plaque at the Kiama Leagues Club commemorating the region’s contribution to Rugby League.

The Toyota Centenary Trophy knockout competition continues to be played across regional NSW and Queensland as the battle continues to find the best bush footy team in Australia.

The champion teams from NSW and Queensland will face each other in a curtain-raiser to State of Origin 3 at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, July 2.