The NSW Touch Association’s Junior State Cup is returning to Wollongong’s Thomas Dalton Park for the next three years, starting in 2019, with the state finals of the event now too big for one city to hold.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Touch Association general manager Dean Russell said the size and scale of the largest touch football event in the world has resulted in it being split into a North and South Conference culminating in a state final with teams qualifying from both conferences.
Thomas Dalton Park previously hosted the Junior State Cup for 12 years.
When it returns next April 160 teams across 10 divisions will play on Wollongong Devils Touch Association’s home ground for the state title.
When players, officials, families, friends and spectators are all taken into account an estimated 6000 people will visit the precinct at Towradgi on the weekend of April 27 and 28.
Mr Russell said the NSW Touch Association was pleased to be partnering with Wollongong Council, Destination Wollongong and the local Wollongong Touch Association to bring such a significant and exciting event to the Illawarra.
“It is an area with strong links to the Junior State Cup. And with a renewed commitment from the community and indeed the dynamic Touch Association it was hard for us to look past Wollongong,” he said.
“With the level of skills the young players have been displaying at previous Junior State Cups, by bringing the best of the best together like this we are looking forward to what will be a spirited weekend of competition. And lots of fun”.
Wollongong Lord Mayor councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said it was great to he the Junior State Cup back and celebrated it with many of the young players present for the announcement.
“Given our proud footy heritage and the fact we hosted the Junior State Cup for more than a decade, it's tremendous to see we're utilising a facility such as Dalton Park for such a significant event,” he said.
“It's a real family event with a wonderful atmosphere. We’re very excited to be given the opportunity to host this event which will showcase the best junior touch football talent in the state”.
In the past the council ensured all the playing fields were well prepared for the massive number of touch football players to compete.
Wollongong Devils president Steven Sopher said it was great for the association and the region.
The three year tender to host the state finals runs from 2019 to 2021.
“This is an exciting step forward and new era for our sport,” Mr Sopher said.
“It poses the potential to open up pathways and engagement that have been paused due to the tyranny of distance of the singular event in the past. This will be especially so for those affiliates and participants for the south and south-west areas of NSW.”
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
