The upcoming rugby league stars will get a taste of professional football when four Newcastle Knights first grade players arrive in Aberdeen on Thursday.

Adam MacDougall, Isaac De Gois, Brad McManus and Akuila Uate will be promoting rugby league in town.

The players will provide skills sessions at Aberdeen Public School and St Joseph’s High School from 1pm to 3pm.

They will then spend a fun afternoon at the home of Aberdeen Junior Rugby League, McKinnon Oval from 3.30pm before enjoying bowls, raffles and a barbecue at Aberdeen Bowling Club.

Aberdeen Junior Rugby League president and senior vice-president David Dever said the main idea was to try and encourage club registrations.

“Everyone is welcome to come along, you don’t have to be registering and there will be an autograph session as well,” Dever said.

Dever said the Club had visitors from other NRL teams including West Tigers and Parramatta Eels before, but this was the first time for first grade Newcastle Knights players.

“Country Rugby League is trying to get NRL out into the country to show they do consider these areas,” he said.

Dever said the club was grateful to have the help of the staff from Muswellbrook’s Westpac Bank who will be cooking the barbecue.

The Knights will also visit Scone, Denman and Muswell-brook during their travels.