AYOF2013:Two Australians will have the experience of a lifetime when they play leading roles at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival Opening Ceremony tonight.

Just like Lauren Jackson, who led the Australians into London 2012, a female has been given the honour of carrying the Australian flag.

Cyclist Kelsey Robson has been given the top job and admits to feeling a bit of jitters and an element of surprise at the call up.

"I was really surprised I guess and excited.  I was like 'Oh my God!'" the West Australian said.

At just 17-years-old, Robson is a dual Junior World Track Cycling Champion and world record holder in the team pursuit.

"I thought the Flagbearer would be someone like our ambassador Sara Carrigan, not one of the athletes," she said of 2004 Olympic road cycling gold medallist and AYOF cycling ambassador Carrigan.

"It’s pretty exciting to be the Australian Flagbearer," Robson said.

With rugby sevens making its debut at the 2013 AYOF, women’s star Charlotte Caslick has been chosen to read the Olympic Oath.

"I don’t know how to explain it, it’s such an honour," Caslick said.

"My role isn’t just on behalf of Australians, it is on behalf of all the Olympians which is pretty special," she said.

The Olympic Oath is always read by members of the home nation’s team on behalf of the gathered competitors and officials. It was written by founder of the Olympic Games, Baron de Coubertin, and at the AYOF comprises of an Athletes’ Oath and Officials’ Oath. The Oath epitomises commitment to the Olympic Games ‘in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams’.

Steely on the field, Caslick admits to nerves about the role.

"When our manager told me I actually felt kind of scared!"

Jordyn Holzberger, a member of the senior Hockeyroos squad will lead a procession of eight Australian torchbearers before rower Alexander Hill lights the cauldron

There will also be six Aussies carrying the Olympic flag ensuring that all 17 sports on the AYOF program are represented.

Produced by The Arts Unit of the NSW Department of Education and Communities, the Opening Ceremony will feature nearly 1000 performers, from over 80 schools from around the state – as far away as Young High School and as close as Darlington Public School.

There will be performers right from Year 1 through to Year 12 including aerialists, Pas de Deux dancers, rhythmic gymnasts and a 400-voice choir. Headline acts will also include School Spectatcular graduates Anja Nissen and Carly Champion.

To see a list of all nations' flagbearers, click here>>>

Tickets for the Opening Ceremony are available at Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com.au or by phoning 136 100

Tickets for the Opening Ceremony are still available at Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Australian-Youth-Olympic-Festival-tickets/artist/1085166?brand=&tm_link=tm_homeA_g1&hot_ticket_brand=home