The 24-year-old from Buttai has been chosen by Motorcycling Australia's Speedway Commission as one of 16 riders to contest the nation's most prestigious speedway event.

He will be joined by fellow Hunter riders Rohan Tungate, Sam Masters and Josh Pickering at the start of the series at Kurri Kurri on Saturday night.

"It's going to be a tough test both physically and mentally," Etheridge said.

"So I have been working on my fitness and having family with me throughout the series is going to be a plus for me if things aren't going so well."

Just on four years ago, Etheridge was competing in winter club competition at Kurri Kurri Speedway where he was spotted by British speedway scouts and began his professional career in 2016.

He was signed by his current British Speedway League team Berwick in 2017 and has established himself as one of the team's most consistent and popular riders.

This year's Australian Speedway Solo Championship field includes former world and multi Australian Speedway Champion Chris Holder, former Australian Speedway Solo Champions Masters, Tungate and Brady Kurtz as well as defending Australian Speedway Solo Champion Max Fricke.

The full Championship Calendar is:

Round 1 - Kurri Kurri (NSW) - Saturday, January 4

Round 2 - Albury/Wodonga (NSW) - Monday, January 6

Round 3 - Undera (VIC) - Tuesday, January 7

Round 4 - Mildura (VIC) - Thursday, January 9

Round 5 - Gillman (SA) - Saturday, January 11

The full list of riders is:

QLD - Ryan Douglas, Zane Keleher

NSW - Rohan Tungate, Chris Holder, Sam Masters, Jack Holder, Brady Kurtz, Zach Cook, Jye Etheridge, Josh Pickering

VIC - Max Fricke, Justin Sedgemen, Jaimon Lidsey, Jack Morrison, Jordan Stewart

SA - Rob Medson