The selection came off the back of Timmy's excellent form in the Junior Regionals tournament in Orange, where he was one of seven players from Yass to take part.

Timmy's mother, Claudina McPhillips, said that the family was caught off-guard by the selection, but were thrilled at the news.

"It comes as a surprise," Mrs McPhillips said.

"He was kind of excited about it, but we didn't know anything more about what it means."

The boys' and girls' merit teams were named in the Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16 divisions, with each of the players named in specific roles.

These roles, according to the Touch NSW website, are based on the roles each of the players were in during the regional tournament, and include: middles, links, wingers, and utilities.

Timmy was selected as a winger, and Mrs McPhillips said that his positive attitude and commitment are integral to his playing style.

"When he plays, he's always putting all his effort into whatever sport he's doing," she said.

"He likes to play, he loves playing."

Although relatively new to the sport of touch football, having only played for the last couple of years, Timmy has been playing rugby league since the age of seven.

The selection for the Merit Squad was the second accolade that the youngster has received this year, as he was named in the Canberra Raiders Under 14 Development Squad in late May.

"It's a busy, exciting year for Timmy, all these achievements for him," Mrs McPhillips said.

"He's looking forward to any opportunity that comes to keep playing at the next level. That's what he's aiming for, he's waiting for any opportunity that comes. [To see] if he can go further with the achievements that he's got this year."