The 12th Annual Queensland Junior State Cup will be contested from 5-8 July 2007 at the Glasshouse Mountains Sports Club on the Sunshine Coast.
Queensland’s premier affiliate-based competition has attracted a record number 2000 players across 164 teams for the four-day event that commences tomorrow.
Between 4000 – 5000 players, coaches, referees, officials, spectators, and supporters are expected to converge at the venue that has become the home of the showcase tournament on the Queensland calendar.
Nominations have been received from all over Queensland with Gold Coast, BMTA, Caboolture, and Redlands providing the most teams across divisions in the Boys and Girls competition in age groups from Under 10 through to Under 18.
With so many teams a lot of planning and thought has gone into the scheduling of the event.
Queensland Touch State Manager Jeremy Sorensen said the main focus is on participation.
“One of the main principles is to ensure teams play as many different sides from across the State as they possibly can, so they get to meet more kids and play against people that they haven’t played against before. That helps develop a state-wide Touch Football community,” Sorensen said.
Talent identification will be undertaken across the four days in an attempt to spy some of tomorrow’s stars.
For the first time non-Queensland teams have also been invited to the event.
Two development teams, Sharks and Kotuku Touch will travel from New Zealand, while Victoria will contribute five teams to the carnival.
Touch Victoria State Manager David Brady said it would be a developmental process for the Victorian players.
“The real expectation is that all the teams will gain experience. The emphasis is on improvement and learning new skills about the game and there is an opportunity for the players to represent Victoria and test their skills and ability against the best Queensland has to offer,” he said.
One person that has witnessed the growth of the Queensland Junior State Cup first hand is Rockhampton Junior Touch Association Administrator and Central Queensland Regional Touch Council Member Ron Etherden.
Etherden has been involved with the event since its inception more than a decade ago.
This year the Touch veteran will lead seven teams South to do battle.
But Etherden said the Cup is not about a ‘win-at-all-cost’ mentality.
“It’s never about winning with us. The big thing it’s about is participating. If you can come and compete, that’s a major thing. Winning is a bonus. An event like this builds people, it builds relationships, and makes players better,” he said.
Etherden said there is plenty of enjoyment to be had, and not just by the players.
“You’ve only got to be there and observe and you get a kick out of people enjoying the event. It’s not only the kids that play, but the people that bring teams and the spectators that enjoy it,” he said.
As well as the inherent enjoyment, Etherden is a firm believer in the benefits that kids receive in being exposed to new environments.
He said the Junior State Cup give kids opportunities that are unique both in the Touch Football calendar and in the wider community.
“With playing juniors in Rocky, the enjoyment of the game is there and everybody gets excited, but when you bring them away it’s a different environment and they have a different attitude. It’s a big learning curve,” Etherden said.
One of the biggest advantages Touch Football has over other sports is its ability to involve so many people. The simplicity of the game, the limited need for playing apparel and space and relatively small overheads allow events such as this year’s 164-team strong Cup to be possible.
Etherden also said it provides a great opportunity to develop young talent.
“It’s a necessary pathway now. If you link that to the Inaugural Junior State Championship it gives the juniors a distinct pathway to the National 18s Championship and that flows on to the Open ranks,” he said.
As well as divisional team awards, two individual awards will be presented at the end of the tournament.
The Kerry Norman (Girls) and Scott Notley (Boys) Medals are designated to recognise the contribution of one female and one male player over a number of years of competition at the Junior State Cup.
Former Australian representatives and Touch Football Hall of Fame Members Kerry Norman and Scott Notley will be on hand to present their awards.
437 games will be played during the event and the competition is sure to be fierce with multiple pools across the ten contested divisions.
Queensland Touch Junior State Cup Playing Schedule:
Day 1 – Thursday 4 July 2007
First Game – 9.00am Last Game - 3.00pm
Day 2 – Friday 5 July 2007
First Game – 8.00am Last Game - 8.00pm
Day 3 – Saturday 6 July 2007
First Game – 8.00am Last Game - 8.00pm
Day 4 – Sunday 7 July 2007
First Game – 7.40am Last Game - 4.30pm
Finals commence at 2.40pm
Full draws, results, and information can be accessed by going to the Queensland Touch web site at www.qldtouch.com.au
