The teenage quartet will represent Warrnambool Seahawks’ under 20 men’s team at their home-town’s seaside junior classic this weekend.

Osborne, Stow and Steere first played together in under 12s, with Sell joining the trio at under-14 level.

Basketball has remained Osborne’s passion but football became priority for his mates in recent years.

But a decision to form an under-20 representative squad for the first time has brought the group back together.

The mates form part of a 13-player roster which will play tournaments throughout the 2017-18 season, starting with the classic.

“I heard a rumour going around that there was maybe going to be an under 20s team so I sent a message to the boys saying ‘would you be keen to come and play?’,” Osborne said.

Stow, who is planning to take a gap year, said basketball also provided an outlet from year 12 exams.

“It’s been a while since me, Austin and ‘Selly’ have played rep basketball, so we’ll see how we go, but Liam be should be in good form I reckon,” Stow said.

Warrnambool will play Ballarat, Terang and Koroit in the new under-20 grade.

“It’s a big social weekend, there’s a lot of people from Warrnambool and a lot of different towns and cities coming to watch, so hopefully we’ll make the grand final and put in a good show for everyone here,” Sell said.

Plans for an under-20 female team are underway with organisers hoping to have a team on the floor in 12 months’ time.

Classic co-ordinator Jenna Osborne said the added of a male under-20 roster was “a bit of a trial this year”.

“It’s something we’ll be pushing in years to come to provide another pathway,” she said.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be massive this year. Terang and Koroit have been a massive support to get teams up and going so we could get a competition.”

The seaside classic has attracted 95 teams across 18 divisions.

Eight courts – at the Arc, Brauer College and St Joseph’s Primary School – will be used. 

Warrnambool will suit up 19 teams. 

The competition runs from 8am to 10pm Saturday and from 8am to 5pm on Sunday.