Terry was inducted into the TFA Hall of Fame in 1988. He represented Australia between 1980 and 1987, including captaining the Australian Men’s Open side on the 1986 tour of New Zealand. Terry is respected by all for the example he has set as a dedicated player and leader in Touch Football. Terry has two caps for Australia and was also the Queensland Men’s Open captain at a National Championships level. NRL player Ryley Jacks is Terry's son.
Karen was also inducted in 1988 and has been involved with Touch Football as a state and national representative player since 1980. She has captained NSW and Australia on many occasions and her list of awards for Player’s Player, Player of the Final and Player of the Series is extensive. Karen represented Australia on 28 occasions, comprising of 19 World Cup games and eight Tests.
Lisa was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. Her Touch Football career started in 1977, as part of the first ladies competition in Port Hacking. Lisa is one of NSW’s most-capped female players, representing the state between 1980 and 1993, as well as being a member of the Australian team for many years. Lisa represented Australia 14 times, in seven World Cup fixtures and seven Test matches.
Ray ‘Bullet’ Lawrence was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 at the National Championships held in the Northern Territory. Ray became involved in Touch Football at the age of 32. He was then recruited into a local side, and a short time later represented the Manly district in the NSW region competition. In 1983 he was selected for NSW in the Men’s Senior team, and then represented the state for 14 years in a row. Ray represented Australia 11 times, comprising of five World Cup fixtures and six Test matches.
Glenys was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 at the National Championships in Canberra. Glenys was the ATA Women’s Director from 1989 to 1996, Equity Director in 1997, and was on the ATA Coaching Panel from 1991 to 1996. She was involved in all areas of Touch Football and refereed at the 1994 and 1995 National Championships. On the playing side, she was selected into the Australian Women's Open Merit Teams from 1984 to 1987, and the Women's 25s Merit Team in 1988. She also played 4 Test matches in the Women's Open division in 1986 and 1987.
Ron was inducted in 1993. Quick, with a big step, Rob would terrorise his opposite when running at them. Given half a gap he always managed to finish the movement over the scoreline. His ability to read the game and hit a hole was only matched by his tough big game competitor’s spirit. He represented NSW from 1982 to 2004 and has 48 international caps for Australia, including 42 World Cup games and six Test matches.
Kerry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 after becoming involved with Touch Football in 1981 because a team playing near her husband Greg’s team was short of players. Kerry has developed to be not only one of Australia’s most accomplished representatives but also a very successful coach, including at an Australian Women’s Open level. Kerry has amassed a total of 104 Australian caps, comprising of 76 World Cup games, 19 Tests and nine All Nations fixtures.
Mark is described by many as the old war horse. He first became involved with Touch Football when he was 13 years old, playing Rugby League. After experiencing back pain, he was no longer allowed to play contact sports so he decided to start playing Touch. Mark played in 17 straight NSW State Cups with Parramatta and won 12 times. He has also played in four World Cups. Mark represented Australia between the years of 1986-1999, with a total of 37 caps – 25 in World Cup fixtures and 12 Test matches.
Scott started playing Touch Football in 1982 because he felt the game suited him more than contact footy. Scott recalls the 1995 World Cup when Australia came from behind to defeat New Zealand 5-1 as a career highlight and is noted by all as a great ambassador for the sport. Scott has represented Australia 61 times, comprising of 44 World Cup and 17 Test match appearances.
Craig was one of Australia’s most capped representatives and showed strong determination, leadership and a fighting spirit that encouraged and inspired many around him. Craig played for Australia 37 times, including 28 World Cup games as well as nine Test matches. Sadly, Craig passed away not long after being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003. Craig will always be remembered as a character of Australian Touch Football.
Katrina (known as Kit) started playing Touch Football at the age of 10 in a local Cronulla competition. Her list of regional, state and Australian representation is incredibly impressive. Katrina played for Australia between 1986-1999, playing in 25 World Cup games and nine Tests. With a total of 34 caps, she never tasted defeat at an Australian level. Katrina's five kids (two girls and three boys) all play Touch and have all represented the Cronulla Sharks in the NSW State Cup.
Bob was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 and is a stalwart of Queensland Touch. An accomplished player at regional, state and national levels, Bob was awarded the Player of the Series award at two consecutive World Cups, 1988 and 1991, as well as later being awarded Australian MVP in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. Bob played in 35 World Cup games and 10 Tests, giving him a total of 45 caps for Australia between 1988 and 1999.
An accomplished coach and manager, Peter has had a long involvement with Queensland and Australian sides since the 1980s. He was Australian Men’s Open Team Manager from 1985 to 1988 and from 1991 to 1999 he held the position of Australian Men’s Open Coach. Peter has been a coach and manager of Australian Emus teams 51 times (35 World Cups and 16 Tests).
At state, national and international events, Rick has excelled as a Touch Football referee. His hard work and dedication was rewarded in 1995 when he rose to the position of the world’s number one Touch Football Referee, a position he held firmly for 12 years. Rick has achieved 70 international caps for his country, consisting of 46 World Cup appearances, 21 Tests and three other internationals. In 2013, the Rick Borg Medal was created, awarded to the top referee at the National Touch League (NTL).
Mick became involved with Touch Football in the late 1970s and is an accomplished player and coach at regional, state and national levels. After retiring from playing following the 2010 Masters Trans-Tasman Test Series, McCall represented his country again in 2013, as Assistant Coach of the Australian Men’s 50s side at the Super Trans-Tasman Test Series. Mick has represented Australia 42 times, in nine Test matches and 33 World Cup matches.
Peter has participated at a national level as both a player and coach. His achievements as a coach for Queensland and the Australian Women’s Open side are near endless. He has been responsible for the promotion and coaching of Touch Football throughout Queensland schools, helping to establish Touch Football as one of the most popular sports in Queensland schools. He has three World Cup titles to his name as the Australian Women’s Open Coach (1995, 1999, 2003), and he returned to the Women’s Open coaching position in 2012. Peter has achieved 41 caps as Coach of the Australian Women’s Open team, made up of 26 World Cup and 15 Test appearances.
Garry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, after a long involvement with the sport at many levels. He has played in five World Cups, as well as in the first Trans-Tasman test against New Zealand in 1985, finishing his playing career following the 2013 Super Trans-Tasman Test Series. Garry began competing for the ACT in National Championships events in 1983 and was still participating 30 years later at the 2013 National Touch League event. Garry added further international experience to his career as part of the Australian Men’s 50s team at the 2013 Super Trans-Tasman Series. Garry has 53 caps for Australia, comprising of 41 World Cup and 12 Test appearances.
Stacey’s Touch Football career commenced in 1985 with Sylvania Touch before she represented Cronulla and Wests in the Women’s and Mixed Open divisions. She competed as a member of the Australian Mixed and Women’s Open teams from 1986 through to the 1999 World Cup. Stacey also represented NSW from 1986 to 1998 and was regarded as the number one female Mixed player in Australia. Stacey has played in 47 matches for Australia, made up of 38 World Cup games and nine Tests.
Stephen’s refereeing career began in 1988 and he refereed at national events from the 1992 National Championships through to the 2003 National Touch League. He refereed at the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cup events. Stephen represented his country as a referee 52 times, including 37 World Cup appearances and eight Test matches.
Dean’s Touch Football career started in 1978 at the Cronulla Sutherland Touch Association. Amongs his accomplishments are being named in the World All-Stars team in 1988, as well as being an assistant coach for the Australian Mixed Open teams that won the World Cup events in 1999 and 2003, as well as assistant coach for the Australian Women’s Open teams for the 2007 and 2011 World Cup events. Dean has 92 caps for Australia, 64 at a World Cup level, 19 Tests and nine All Nations appearances as a coach and player. He is currently GM of the NSW Touch Association.
David was named in the Hall of Fame in 2011 after a long involvement in Touch Football, including four World Cup campaigns. He first represented Australia at the 1995 World Cup in Hawaii and has competed at three World Cups since, at the 1997 (Masters), 1999 and 2003 events. His most recent Australian representation was in the Men’s 50s division at the 2013 Super Trans-Tasman Series and he has 51 Australian caps in total, comprising of 34 World Cup games, six Tests, 11 European appearances, plus he was named Flagbearer at the 2005 All Nations Championship in NZ. He was also the first player to score 100 touchdowns (tries) in NTL history.
Tim was named in the Hall of Fame in 2011. Tim currently has 76 Australian caps, which includes five World Cup campaigns. Tim started his Australian career at the 1997 World Cup, and has attended every World Cup since. He was also one of the Flag Bearers for the 2003 World Cup in Japan. Tim’s most recent Australian representation was in the Men’s 50’s division at the 2013 Super Trans Tasman Series. Tim has represented his country in 43 World Cup matches and six Test matches, as well as 27 other internationals.
Renee’s Australian representation started at the 1995 World Cup in Hawaii in the Women’s Open division before she played in the 1999 and 2003 events as well. As a player, Renee has 38 caps for Australia, which include 26 World Cup matches and three Test matches, plus caps as a coach and manager. Renee also coaches the Gold Coast Titans Women's team in the NRL Touch Premiership.
Sharyn was a mainstay in the Women’s Open team for more than 15 years, playing in four World Cups, five Trans Tasman Series and the 2005 All Nations Series. After retiring from the Women’s Open team in 2009, Sharyn returned to play in the Australian Women’s 30’s team at the 2013 Super Trans Tasman Series. Sharyn has 63 caps for Australia, comprising of 36 World Cup games, 18 Tests and nine All Nation caps.
After an Australian career that spanned over 10 years, and regarded as one of the best Mixed players of all time, Darren Shelley was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Darren’s career in the green and gold started in 1987, before playing in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups, and five Test series in total. Darren has a total of 30 Australian caps, including 19 World Cup games as well as 11 Test matches.
Having played in the first ever Women’s test match against New Zealand in 1986, Gai Taylor went on to become one of the most capped Australian Women’s representatives of all time, with 30 caps for Australia. Gai played in three World Cups for Australia, in 1988, 1997 and 1999, as well as playing in the 1986 and 1988 Test matches against New Zealand and Canada. Gai has represented Australia in 30 games, including 26 World Cup matches and four Test matches.
Owen was also inducted into the TFA Hall of Fame in 2011, for his contribution to the sport of Touch Football in the early years. Owen played two Tests for Australia and five Open and Senior State of Origin series between 1980 and 1985. He was regarded by many as one of the best of the founding era.
Adam was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2015. A former world number one referee, Adam has 70 international caps next to his name, including 34 World Cup caps. Adam has also refereed 21 Masters World Cup games, 12 Open Tests and three Youth Tests.
Giselle was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2015. Giselle has been a key member of Australian Touch since making her debut in 1993. Giselle has 34 international caps, including 16 World Cup matches. Giselle has represented New South Wales from 1995 to 2014, playing six National Touch League finals with the Sydney Mets and winning three of them.
Greg was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2015. Greg was a member of Australia’s inaugural Touch Football team in 1985 with cap number five. Greg has eight Australian caps and played in the inaugural Australia vs New Zealand Trans Tasman Test in 1985. Greg has continued to represent Australia, most recently at the 2015 Touch World Cup. Greg is the most capped Queensland representative with 90 caps, having won a national title in every Men’s division.
Tony was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2015. After earning 100 caps for Australia, at the 2019 World Cup, Tony retired from his position as the Australian Men’s Open coach. As well as coaching the Emus, Tony has also been Head Coach of the Wests Tigers in the NRL Touch Premiership, New South Wales in the Touch State of Origin and the Sydney Mets in the National Touch League.
Bo de la Cruz had a remarkable international representative career which began at the inaugural Youth World Cup in 2001. She was a key player in the Australian Women’s Open Team from 2001 to 2010, including being named the Player of the Series in her first World Cup in 2003. Bo was the second Indigenous woman to represent the Emus at Opens level and has 50 international caps. She captained Australian Masters’ Teams in the 2017 Trans-Tasman Test Series and 2019 Touch World Cup.
De la Cruz’s notable history in the game, superior ball skills and attacking ability, as well as her mentoring of the next generation of athletes, with coaching roles in NRLW and Indigenous programs, has seen her honoured with the Bo de la Cruz Medal which is awarded to the Female Player of the Match in the annual Indigenous All Stars Touch Football match.
Widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game, Drumayne has the uncanny ability to score the game-winning or game-breaking try with his trademark step or dive. First representing the Emus at the 2003 World Cup in Japan, Drumayne has 50 international caps.
His leadership skills were also recognised as captain of the Australian Men’s Open Team at the 2010 Trans-Tasman Test Series. Drumayne is held in the highest esteem by his teammates, and his individual and team skills were reflected with him receiving the Australian Men’s Open MVP Award at the 2007 World Cup. He was also the highest try-scorer for his team at this event.
Drumayne is also the first player to surpass 150 tries scored at The Championships (formerly National Touch League) at Opens level.
Amanda, along with her twin sister, Kristy, is a role model in Touch Football. She represented Australia in both Mixed Open and Women’s Open teams from 1995 to 2012, attaining 62 caps in her international career. On the field, Amanda was able to create opportunities for herself and others through her outstanding ability to read the game as well as her attacking prowess. She frequently turned lapses in the opposition’s defensive structure into scoring opportunities.
Amanda was highly respected by her teammates and the wider Touch Football community for her leadership, selfless attitude, and support and guidance for others, both on and off the field. These characteristics were recognised when she was commemorated as Australian flagbearer for the 2007 World Cup in South Africa.
Kristy was the first player to represent Australia at Opens level to win 5 World Cups (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011). No other player has represented Australia in the Open divisions in five consecutive World Cups. Kristy never lost a game at these World Cups and only lost 2 games in the 15 Test matches that she played in between 1997 and 2012.
Kristy attained 69 caps for the Emus during her international Touch Football career, including 45 at World Cups, scoring 34 tries in international games. A strike player, alongside her twin sister Amanda, Kristy was an outstanding competitor with an astute Touch Football brain, who could singlehandedly turn a game through her individual brilliance and ability to read the game.
Kristy’s contribution to the sport, her skills, and her character were recognised when she was named Australian flagbearer for the 2009 Trans-Tasman Test Series in New Zealand.
Gavin began his international representative career in 1998 and currently has 89 international caps across Men’s Open, Mixed Open and Masters divisions. He was the Australian Men’s Open Captain from 2007 to 2010, and his commitment and leadership qualities were reflected by him being named Australian flagbearer for the 2007 World Cup in South Africa.
Gavin currently holds the joint record for the most tries scored in a single World Cup with 36 at the 2011 event. Other notable achievements at World Cups include being the second highest try-scorer of all time and scoring the highest number of tries in one game. He also holds the record for the highest number of tries for Australia at World Cups.
Gavin is credited with changing the men’s game with his inventive set plays and imaginative attack and is widely regarded as one of the smartest tacticians in the game. Gavin will be representing Australia at his seventh World Cup in 2024 in the Men’s 50s division.
With 65 Australian caps across Opens and Masters divisions, Garry is one of the most decorated elite representatives. First representing Australia at the 1998 Trans-Tasman Test Series, his prowess over multiple decades is demonstrated by his Men’s Open Player of the Series Award at the 2002 National Touch League (NTL) through to his selection to represent Australia at his fifth World Cup in 2024 in the Men’s 50s division.
Often called the ultimate competitor, he forged his career and won the respect of others with his team-first mentality and willingness to do the tough stuff for his teammates for the entirety of the game. His never-say-die attitude and sheer refusal to back down made him a must in any Trans-Tasman battle.
Garry’s individual and team skills, dedication, and commitment were recognised when he was named Australian flagbearer for the 2007 World Cup in South Africa.
Louise was, and still is, an icon of the game. She represented Australia as a junior at the 2001 and 2005 Youth World Cups and subsequently attained 65 international caps at the Women’s Open level during her decorated playing career.
Louise was an outstanding team player and an inspirational leader, both on and off the field. These qualities were recognised through her being named the TFA MVP at the 2007 World Cup, receiving the Players’ Player Awards at the 2013 and 2014 Trans-Tasman Test Series, as well as the NTL Player of the Series in the 2004 Women’s Open division and several NTL Player of the Final Awards. As a player, Louise had a never-give-in attitude, superior ball skills, agility, vision, and an uncanny ability to read the game and make the most of any attacking opportunity that presented itself.
Louise was an exemplary captain of the Australian Women’s Open Team from 2010 to 2015 and her representative history, loyalty, respect, and integrity were recognised with the privilege of being awarded the Ron Hanson Medal for the 2011 World Cup in Scotland as Australian flagbearer.