Meet Jodie Gair, who's thrilled about the recent Juniors growth at her club, and who fills us in on her four Origin wins
Affiliate: UQ Rebels Touch Football Club, QLD
Position: Treasurer, Coach, Manager & Player
How did you get involved in Touch?
My parents actually got me started playing Touch Football. They were involved with the Caloundra Junior Rugby League Club and decided to start an adult Touch competition in the off-season to boost the finances of the Rugby League Club. So I’ve been playing since I was 13 up on the Sunshine Coast. After moving to Brisbane in 2004 I joined UQ Rebels and then became Treasurer of the club in 2011. Once my daughters starting playing, that's when I became more involved in our junior club. Over the years I have coached and managed several Junior teams and also assisted our Junior Coordinator Jo Cannon when needed. In 2017 I was nominated to become a Life Member with UQ Rebels.
What improvements and initiatives have you seen at your affiliate or with the game during your time?
Our club’s junior numbers have increased over the years thanks to one of our Life Members, Karen Otway. The work she's put into it means we've gone from having two to three Junior teams to over 50+ boys and girl’s teams in just over a few years.
(For any affiliates looking for advice on how to generate Juniors growth, listen to Episode 1 of the TFA Affiliates Podcast by clicking here.)
Have you participated in Touch at a representative level?
Yes, I've been lucky enough to have played State of Origin for Queensland for the past four clashes. My first year was in 2012 with the Women's 30s and since then I’ve played with the 40s Women. Hopefully I don’t jinx myself, but all four teams I’ve played in have won the Series.
What is your Touch Football highlight so far?
Can’t go past winning those four State of Origin Series, plus being named Player of the Series 2018 and Player’s Player the same year. But honestly, a highlight that stands out the most is the friendships that I've made along the way from being involved with the game. Whether it’s players I play or have played with, parents of the junior players I am involved with, coaches that have coached me along the way. I have definitely made lifelong friendships due to Touch Football.
