A DOZEN shire footballers are embarking on one of life's toughest training regimes walking the Kokoda Trail.
In covering the 96 kilometres, over Papua New Guinea's rugged Owen Stanley Range, some are retracing the steps of their fathers, and grandfathers who fought in one of the bloodiest campaigns of World War II, against the advancing Japanese invaders, and which sealed the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea forever.
The footballers include Dave Fuller, a relative of the famous Australian war hero, Major General Arthur Samuel `Tubby' Allen.
The dozen are from Grays Point Football Club, as well as from Miranda and Cronulla RSL, and include a father and his sons.
``I'm doing it for the second time, this time taking two of my sons, Callum and John,'' said John Skene.
``We can't think of a better training regime for the younger guys.
``And we get to retrace the famous footsteps of dads and grand-dads, some 66 years ago.''
The footballers are Rod Miller, Darryl Sharp, Paul Edmunds, Ricky Rose, Ian Perry, Harry Christodolou, John Shute, David Fuller, Dean Simpson, John Skene and sons John and Callum Skene.