1 - 50: The numbers that mattered in 2023

From record breaking numbers at events to an epic return of international Touch Footy, 2023 was a massive year for Touch Football. Check out our top 50 moments below. 

1 – For the first time in their history, Touch Football Philippines defeated New Zealand, pulling off an all-time upset when they emerged victorious 8 tries to 7 in the Mixed 20s division at this year’s Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup (APYTC). Scoring the winner in the extra time, the game will go down in Touch Football folklore, forever proving that anything can happen in this sport.  

2 – For the second consecutive year, Jaymon Bob was awarded Inferno National Touch League (NTL) Player of the Final honours, as the Central Queensland Bulls successfully retained their Men’s Open title. The Australia representative proved the difference maker, as the Bulls claimed the Mark Boland Shield for the second year running. 

3 – For the first time ever, three Australian referees officiated the Men’s Open Trans-Tasman (OTT) Test Series. Congratulations to Kim Skelly, David Baggio and Tony Calabria for this honour.   

4 – 4 tries to Mackenzie Davis earned her Player of the Final honours in the Women’s 20s division at this year’s NTL. Capping off a stellar week for her in Coffs Harbour, the young Australian representative guided her Sydney Scorpions side to victory as they defeated the Brisbane Cobras, 5 tries to 2.   

5 – Despite coming up just short in the NTL All-Abilities Tier Two Final, Nicholas Kruske had the game of a lifetime, scoring 5 tries in an outstanding performance! Ultimately, it was the NSW Northern Eagles who were crowned champions, defeating the South Queensland Sharks 12 – 10.   

6 – Australia went 6 from 6 at this year’s APYTC, taking home the Gold Medal in Boys, Girls and Mixed 18s/20s divisions. Playing for the first time since 2020, it was a triumphant return to the international stage for the young Pain Away Emus.   

7 – South Queensland Sharks Men’s 30s representative Cameron Sherwood scored 7 tries against the Australian Defence Force Warriors this March at the NTL. The most tries scored in a single game at this year’s edition of the tournament.   

8 – Across 5 games of Touch Football, the Australian 18s Girls side only conceded a total of 8 tries. That averages out to less than 2 tries a game! 

9 – The Sydney Scorpions were awarded their 9th NTL Golden Boot this year, a trophy awarded to the overall champion region. From 17 divisions contested, the contingent participated in 10 Grand Finals, winning an outstanding 8 of them!  

10 – The 2023 Touch Football All Stars game was played out to a thrilling 10 all draw as the event made its New Zealand debut. For the first time ever, both sides were unable to be separated, meaning the Māori All Stars still hold a slight edge over the Indigenous All Stars in the overall series head-to-head.   

11 – In the Women’s 20s division, the Sydney Scorpions went 11 games unbeaten on their way to defending their NTL title. After 11 games of Touch Footy, the young side accumulated a 74-point differential.  

12 – It was the dawn of a new era for the Pain Away Australian Emus Mixed Open side, with 12 players making their debut at this year’s Trans-Tasman Test Series. Jackson Mills, Stephanie Maiolo, Patricia Michaelopoulos, and Zara Nicholas were the only players with prior experience heading into the series. 

13 – There were 13 electric tries scored in the final game of the 2023 DoorDash National Youth Championships (NYC), as Queensland Secondary Schools Touch (QSST) defeated NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC), 7 tries to 6. Blaise Prendergast was presented with the myskills.gov.au Player of the Final award for his efforts.. 

14 – At 14 years of age, Isaac Richter (Philippines Mixed 20s), Talia Berryman (Cook Islands Girls 18s), Pouvi Matatiaa Sioeli (Niue Men’s 20s), and Aria Chadburn (Philippines Mixed 20s) were the youngest athletes competing at APYTC. 

15 – The number of All-Abilities teams who participated across two divisions this year at NTL. The most in the concept’s history.  

16 – 16 tries to Australia’s Lauren McCurley in the Women’s 20s division, saw her earn top try scorer honours at APYTC. Her fellow teammate, Caitlyn Blade, and New Zealand’s Liam Carter (Boy’s 18s) rounded out the top 3 with 14 tries apiece.   

17 – Samantha Rodgers (Australia Women’s Open) and Atawhai Hotene (New Zealand Mixed Open) were joint top try scorers at the 2023 OTT with 17 tries apiece.  

18 – Tim Baartz this February was announced as the Mixed Open Captain for the Australian Emus side, the 18th athlete bestowed with the honour in the division.  

19 – At 19 years of age, Jardel Bob and Kiiahla Duff were the youngest Opens representative at this years’ Trans-Tasman Test Series for Australia. They join a select group of individuals to represent Australia at Opens and Youth level within the same year. 

20 – The QSST Girls side attained their 20th championship at this year’s NYC, the most in history. Defeating NSW Combined High Schools (NSWCHS) 6 tries to 1, the young Queensland side provided the Touch Footy world another reminder for why they are the benchmark for youth Touch Football.    

21 – With only 21 seconds left on the clock, NSWCHS 18s Boys earned a spot in the NYC Semi Finals with an epic game winner in the last minute. Reg Nichols scored with the last play of the game to see the young NSW side through.  

22 – Tries scored by Lars Hanson of the Sydney Scorpions Men’s 45s team at NTL this year, earning him top try scorer honours. 

23 – 23 teams from 9 nations participated this year at APYTC. Teams from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Niue, Philippines, and Samoa proudly represented their nation across 3 epic days of action.  

24 – Coffs Harbour hosted the NTL for the 24th time this year. The NSW region has rightfully earned its title as the ‘Spiritual Home’ of the annual championships. 

25 – In their APYTC Semi Final clash with Singapore, the Australian 18s Girls team, scored 25 tries in a shutout against Singapore. This equalled the all-time winning margin for their division (25 - 0 vs USA 2018). 

26 – At the 2023 NYC, the NT Devils brought 26 Girls to represent their Territory, including Annarella Torres'Carne.   

27 – 27 debutants donned the Emus jersey for the first time this April when Australia took on Japan and New Zealand in the OTT. After several disruptive years it was incredible to see Australia’s international program back in full swing.  

28 – 28 Tries. In the highest scoring contest of APYTC. The Australian Men's 20s side defeated Fiji 25 tries to 3.   

29 – After a stellar 20 plus year career, Hideaki Nara played his final game for the Japan Touch Blossoms this April. A legend of the international game, Hideaki finishes his career with an incredible five world cup appearances at Opens level, and 29 tries to his name (the second most in Japanese International Touch history).    

30 – Tries scored by Hayden Madders of the Brisbane Cobras 14s Boys side at NYC, earning him top try scorer honours. Hayden also earned Player of the Final honours as his side defeated the South Queensland Sharks 9 tries to 5. 

31 – The Australian Women’s 20s program reached 31 consecutive games without defeat this year, a record dating back to 2009. In that timeframe they have won one Youth World Cup, 4 Youth Trans-Tasman's and the APYTC.  

32 – In their best of 3 series, the Pain Away Australian Emus Mixed 18 side scored 32 tries to New Zealand’s 25. Although Australia completed the clean sweep, each game was a tight contest.  

33 – 33 degrees. The combined maximum temperature experienced over two days at this year’s Cold Climate Classic. 

34 – 34 Hours. This October, members of QLD Police, Army Personnel and Army Veterans broke the Guinness World Record for longest game of Touch Football, clocking in 34 hours and 14 seconds.  

35 – This August, the National Referee Squad Program returned with 35 members announced in the squad. The new look, 12-month year-round program will ensure referees are provided adequate resources and coaching to succeed, ultimately leading to improvement of our elite match officials, and as such improvement to the overall product of touch football.  

36 – As we head into a World Cup year, the record for highest number of tries scored at an individual Touch World Cup is 36 (Marikki Watego and Gavin Shuker). Will it be broken in 2024?  

37 – The number of clubs that nominated for the 2023 Red Rooster Community Club of the Year. In the end, Orange Touch were announced as the inaugural recipient of the award. 

38 – 38 years after Kerry Norman was named Australia’s first ever flag bearer, Jardel Bob and Kiiahla Duff were both bestowed the same honour ahead of APYTC in May. The two players shared the unique honour of representing the Pain Away Australian Emus in both Opens and Youth divisions in the same year.   

39 – Number of Fijian Players at APYTC this year. The nations brought teams to compete in the Boys 18s and Women’s 20s divisions.   

40 – After 40 minutes of Touch Footy action, the Sydney Mets and Central Queensland Bulls couldn’t be separated. In the opening match of this year’s NTL Men’s Open division, the two sides played out a thrilling 3 all draw. 

41 – Australian Men’s Open representative Peter Norman reached 41 caps for his country this April at the Opens Trans-Tasman. In that time, he has crossed the line 19 times.  

42 – This April, Kim Sue See and Jonathan Palau both received the 2023 Ron Hanson Medal, the 42nd and 43rd recipients of this honour respectively. Introduced in 2010, the Ron Hanson medal honours Australia’s flag bearers in Opens and Masters divisions.  

43 – In the 43rd minute, Men’s Open representative Jack Edwards scored the match winner as Australia defeated New Zealand 7 tries to 6 on day two of the OTT. Many have declared this one of the greatest test matches of all time.   

44 – 2,220 referees volunteered their time to help support Touch Football in the previous Financial Year. A 44% annual increase.    

45 – After scoring 18 tries at this year’s NYC, Rhani Hagan has now scored 45 tries overall at the tournament. This places her amongst elite company as one of the top try scorers in the event’s history. 

46 – Junior Players participated at the Palmerston Touch Junior Competition in the Northern Territory.  

47 – Before April, it had been 47 months since the Australian Open sides played against New Zealand (2019 Touch World Cup). 

48 – Touch Football Australia content was viewed in 48 countries throughout 2023.    

49 – The 2023 Financial year saw a 49% increase in School Participation. Highlighting an enhanced school focus, this took the total of school participants to 256,148.   

50 – Richie Heap refereed his 50th test match this year’s OTT.