IT'S A potentially risky move - letting a group of teenage boys have the deciding vote in their rugby team's end-of-year-awards.

But for coach Jason McPherson, the choice was an easy one to make.

"We decided they were mature enough to make the right decision,” he says.

"And looking at the votes, it was clear they hadn't cast their votes lightly, they'd really thought about it.”

This sense of responsibility and maturity amongst the team members is something McPherson attributes to years of working and playing the sport together.

"Most of these boys have been playing together since they were seven years old,” he says.

"We've got members of all different cultures and religions coming together to have a good time on the field.”

Having played at the international level since they were under 13s, the confidence and ability of the team to work as a cohesive unit has only improved.

Having made it to this year's grand final, they were narrowly defeated by Stanley Rivers 28-20 last Friday.

According to the McPherson, who's been with the team since the very beginning, the pressure and excitement of the game was what caused the boys to lose focus.

However he's convinced the disappointing result hasn't tarnished the rest of the season.

"They handled it as best they could, it's to be expected when they're this passionate about the game,” he says.

"But there are way more positives to this year than what happened in the final game.”

It's this determination and love for the game that's seen every member of the team keen for the next season.

"The team's committed for the year to come - they can't wait,” McPherson says.

"They haven't stopped asking me when they can get back onto the field.”