Emus World Cup Preview: Women's 40s

For the first time ever, the Women’s 40s division will be contested at a Touch World Cup, with five teams set to participate in the inaugural division. With four teams progressing to the semi-finals, there’s plenty of opportunity for an upset to occur, with the round-robin stages likely to be used as a means of testing tactics and analysing rivals’ strategies. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Women’s 40s division. 

 

Participating Teams

Pool Stage 

• Australia 

• England 

• New Zealand 

• Papua New Guinea 

• Scotland 

 

The Numbers That Matter

1 – The 16 women travelling to Nottingham this July will go down in history as Australia’s first-ever Women’s 40s national team. A proud moment in the history of Touch Football, and another example of the continued growth of the sport not only in Australia but on the world stage.

9 – Nine members of the Australian Women’s 40s side will be making their debut in the green and gold this July. With many players new to the international stage, the experience of Michelle Evans, Kate Barker, Dominique Barlow, Davina Galetto, Karina Haddin, Kellie-Jean Johnston, and Kylie Stewart will be crucial this July. 

23 – One of the only players in the side with prior international experience, Kylie Stewart will be representing Australia for the first time in 23 years. She last played for Australia in the Mixed Open division in 2001, when Australia played New Zealand in the Opens Trans-Tasman Test Series in Hamilton. 

 

Toughest Match-Ups

New Zealand – Our Trans-Tasman rivals should never be taken lightly no matter the division. Taking a look at their history in Women’s Masters competition, the Kiwis have only recorded losses to Australia and the Cook Islands, never failing to place lower than second across the Women’s 27s/30s and 35s divisions. In 2019, the Women's 35s contingent fell short to the Aussies 8-0 in the final. With a new division on offer, New Zealand will be hoping they can claim a first Gold Medal in Women's Masters Touch.

England – The 2023 European Champions claimed Gold at the Euros in dominant fashion. Not only did they go through the tournament undefeated, but they only conceded five tries in seven games. The tournament’s top try-scorer Sally Seymour (alongside Laura Anderson) is returning in 2024 to the Touch World Cup. Limiting the Norwich Rebels representative’s influence on attack will be crucial to a successful tournament for the Australians. 

 

Athelite Australia Emus to Watch

Relle Donovan – 2024 debutant Relle Donovan has had an excellent preparation with a stellar campaign at The Championships. Her success for the ACT Raiders this March capped off an incredible few years for the middle, with successful campaigns at State of Origin (NSW Women’s 40s) and the 2022 NSW State Cup (Port Macquarie Women’s 40s) in recent years evidence of her big-game experience. Her speed, agility, and extensive knowledge of the game make her one of the top players in this division. 

Kylie Stewart – Donning the green and gold for the first time in over two decades, Kylie will be playing in a Touch World Cup for the first time ever. She’s taken part in three successive State of Origins in recent memory, representing NSW in the Women’s 35s and 40s divisions, and earning player of the series honours in 2018. To top all of this, the Taren Point representative was also named in the NSW Senior Women’s Golden Jubilee team, placing her amongst some of the most elite athletes to play the sport in her home state.  

 

Athelite Australian Emus Fixtures*

Day 2 Fixtures: July 16 

• 1:10pm VS Scotland 

• 4:30pm VS Papua New Guinea 

Day 3 Fixtures: July 17 

• 12:20pm VS New Zealand 

• 2:50pm VS England 

Day 4 Fixtures: July 18 

• 12:20pm VS Scotland 

• 3:40pm VS Papua New Guinea 

Day 5 Fixtures: July 19 

• 11:20am VS New Zealand 

• 1:55pm VS England 

Day 6 Fixtures: July 20 

• 3:10pm Semi Finals 1, 2 

• 6:50pm Bronze Medal 

Day 7 Fixtures: July 21 

• 8:00am Gold Medal 

*Draft draw, subject to change. All times are shown in local England time zones. Follow Touch Football Australia (TFA) on social media for all up-to-date schedule information. 

To see the Women’s 40s draw in its entirety, CLICK HERE 
 

Last Word: Look to the Australians to have the distinct honour of becoming the first-ever Women’s 40s World Champions, or will another country spoil the party? 

The 2024 FIT Touch World Cup begins July 15 in Nottingham, England. Follow TFA’s socials on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all updates before and throughout the World Cup.

All Stats Courtesy of the Touch Almanac by Cary Thompson