Nearly 1000 athletes and coaches from 11 regional academies of sport will contest six different sports throughout the Hunter region over seven days until Sunday.

The softball challenge at Stevenson Park, Mayfield on Saturday is set to be one of the most hotly contested events.

There will be 23 squads battling for the softball title, including two sides from the United States.

Other sports on the sporting calendar for the week are athletics, duathlon, golf, netball and swimming (athletes with a disability).

Over 2000 supporters are expected to visit the region in addition to the coaches and athletes.

Hunter Academy of Sport chief executive officer Brett O’Farrell estimated the week-long competition would inject around $500,000 into the Hunter tourism and hospitality sector.

He said most athletes and coaches would be accommodated in Lake Macquarie and Maitland and expected family members and other spectators to also stay in those areas.

Lake Macquarie accommodation providers offered reduced rates rooms for athletes and families travelling for the games.

The Australian Invitational Youth Games is hosted by Hunter Academy of Sport and offers elite talent from metro and regional academies high-quality sporting competition.

“This is a sports carnival where higher level squads and teams can get meaningful competition against quality opposition,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“Sometimes a rep squad can be chosen and may actually only play together once. This gives the squads and individuals more game time at the higher level.

“From a pure development point of view, it is fantastic to give these athletes quality competition against strong opposition.”

Netball and golf have been added this year and a duathlon will be contested for the first time at Teralba on Saturday.