For event manager Rod Broad, the annual showpiece provides the ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the out-of-home-care sector and more importantly recruit more Aboriginal foster carers.

“I work in the out-of-home-care sector and specifically my job is to recruit carers. It’s a massive job,’’ Broad said.

“When we first started this tournament the aim was to recruit more carers. It is still the goal today.

“We have though opened it up to non-indigenous services this year to give them an opportunity to promote their services and give them a chance to recruit their carers as well.’’

Broad is also part of the Illawarra Titans Rugby League Football Club, which is hosting the Kids in Care Cup at Sid Parrish Park in Figtree on Saturday, September 17.

The event will be held on the last day of Foster Care Week to link in with the local out-of- home-care agencies to recruit more foster carers.

With almost 20,000 children and young people unable to live at home in NSW there is always a need for more carers. NSW needs to attract 660 new carers in the next year across all types of foster care.

MacKillop Family Services was delighted to once again sponsor the Illawarra Titans and be part of the Kids in Care Cup.

MacKillop’s Illawarra Shoalhaven manager Tracy Hill said this event continues to highlight the need for more foster carers not just in the Illawarra region but across NSW.

“As a provider of foster care for children and young people, MacKillop is always looking for new carers who are able to provide safe and stable homes for children in need,’’ Ms Hill said.

“Carers can choose from providing emergency, respite, short term or long term care.’’

If past years are anything to go by about 3000 people will attend the fourth annual event to see some of NSW's best Aboriginal rugby league teams battle it out for the Kids in Care Cup.

Dalai Dreamers, made up of players from Kempsey and Armidale have won the last two titles but will not play in 2016.

“This gives an opportunity for another team this year,’’ Broad said.

The eight men’s teams from across NSW taking part include the Tabulam Turtle Divers (north coast), La Perouse Bummers (Sydney) and southern region outfits Gadhu Warriors and Yunimyna Warriors.

Host side Illawarra Titans have two men’s teams and a number of junior teams playing in their respective categories.

St George Illawarra player Dylan Farrell, this year’s Kids in Care Cup ambassador, hoped to ‘’raise awareness about the kids in the out-of-home care system’’.

Agencies provide foster carers with ongoing support and training. Those interested in fostering should visit www.fosteringnsw.com.au