DoorDash National Youth Championships 18s Boys Preview

For over thirty years, the 18s Boys division has delivered countless moments of excitement and entertainment, and we expect nothing different in 2024. The field this year is as stacked as it’s ever been with an abundance of talent across the board. 

From traditional powerhouses to emerging entities looking to cause a few upsets, here’s everything you need to know about the DoorDash National Youth Championships (NYC) 18s Boys division. 

Participating Teams

POOL A 

• Queensland Representative Schools Sport (QRSS) 
• Brisbane Cobras 
• New South Wales Combined Independent Schools (NSWCIS) 
• Hunter Western Hornets 
• North Queensland Cyclones 
• South Australia Heat 

POOL B 

• New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) 
• New South Wales Combined High Schools (NSWCHS) 
• South Queensland Sharks 
• Sunshine Coast Pineapples 
• Tasmania Thunder 
• South West Queensland Swans 
• Victoria Storm 

Honour Board

• QRSS (FKA QSST) – 17-Time Champions: 2023, 2022, 2018-2014, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1994 
• NSWCHS – 5-Time Champions: 2019, 2013, 1999, 1997, 1993 
• Sydney Mets – 3-Time Champions: 2008, 2007, 2002 
• NSWCCC – 2-Time Champions: 2012, 2009 
• Central Queensland Bulls – 1-Time Champion: 2021 
• New Zealand – 1-Time Champion: 1996 
• North Queensland Cyclones – 1-Time Champion: 2020 
• West South West Suns (FKA Southern Suns) – 1-Time Champion: 2005 

Numbers That Matter

• 90%: QRSS has a 90% win rate at the NYC over the years, winning 225 games and drawing five. Of the twenty times they were defeated, eight were against arch-rivals NSWCHS.  
• 3: School system entities have participated in all but three NYC Grand Finals in the 18s Boys division. Due to COVID restrictions, school teams did not participate in the 2020 and 2021 instalments of the event. The last and only time we have seen an all-region entity final at NYC was in 2002 when the Sydney Mets defeated the Brisbane Cobras 6 tries to 5. 
• 24: Declan Keen of the South Queensland Sharks currently holds the record in the division for most tries scored in a single tournament. Last year, Sam Sheppard came the closest to reaching that record with sixteen tries for Queensland Secondary Schools Touch (QSST). Will anyone get in touching distance of the impressive mark in 2023? 
• 9/13: Home ground advantage? The NYC returns to Coffs Harbour for the first time since 2008. Of the thirteen times the Mid-North Coast of NSW has hosted the event, NSWCHS has competed in nine Grand Finals, the best appearance record of any entity.  

The Favourites

Queensland Representative Schools Sport: The defending champions Queensland Fire are gunning for their second-ever three-peat in the division. With some of the best-emerging prospects in the country, the boys from the Sunshine State will take some beating this year. Multiple members of the side, including Javon Andrews and Flynn Madders, have represented the Athelite Australian Emus at Youth level, whilst Jacob Richter brings World Cup experience to this side, representing the Philippines Mixed Open team this July. Of the newcomers to the team, Hayden Watson is a standout, with the Gold Coast Touch representative earning Player of the Final honours last year in the 16s Boys division. Reaching the Grand Final in their last fifteen campaigns, expectations are high for QRSS this NYC. 

New South Wales Combined High Schools: Traditional powerhouses NSWCHS are chasing their sixth national title. The sky-blue side last made the final in 2019, having fallen short in their last two campaigns and unable to compete in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions. The NSW side will look vastly different to the 2023 outfit, with only Blake Wardrobe, Max Davies and Lewis Sargent-Wilson expected to return. There are several debutants to keep an eye out on, including Travis Jackson who produced plenty of highlights for the Hunter Western Hornets on the Sunshine Coast last year. A new-look side with plenty of talent, expect NSWCHS to play some exciting Touch Footy this tournament, and to be an absolute handful for any team they come up against. 

New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges: In perhaps a bit of a shock result, NSWCCC reached the 18s Boys Grand Final for only the fifth time in their history. Despite coming up short, they gave QSST an almighty scare, going down 7 tries to 6. The Catholic school's side is expected to be a team to watch, with several stars of the 16s Boys division making the jump, including Alex McIlwraith, Harry Lidbury, and Kale White. Multiple members of last year’s impressive squad are also returning for another crack at the title, including Athelite Australian Emus Youth representative Cameron Cloey, one of the best wingers in the division. With strong team chemistry carried over from their successful 2023 campaign and fresh talent eager to make an impact, NSWCCC is undoubtedly a team to keep an eye on in this tournament. 

The Dark Horses 

Brisbane Cobras: If recent history is any indication, the Brisbane Cobras will be a tough match-up for any side come finals time with the Queensland region reaching the Semi-Finals in their past three campaigns. In 2022, the regional entity peaked at the right time of the week, pulling off upset wins against NSWCHS and the Central Queensland Bulls to reach their first Grand Final since 2002. Last year they fell short against QSST in the Semi-Finals in a valiant effort. Come 2024 it’s a brand-new team, with not a single player from last year’s contingent returning. Several, including the dynamic Darius Yung, have represented the Cobras in other divisions, while newcomers like Riley Earnshaw will be wearing the Cobras red for the first time. With a fresh lineup heading to Coffs Harbour, there’s an air of unpredictability surrounding this Cobras team, making them a dangerous force in the competition. 

New South Wales Combined Independent Schools: After narrowly missing out on a Semi-Final spot in 2023, NSWCIS will be determined to go at least one stage further in Coffs Harbour. This year’s lineup is one of the entities’ strongest in recent years, bolstered by the international experience of Tylan Berryman and Tamoko Berryman-Duff. Both played key roles in the Cook Islands Men’s Open team which secured an impressive fourth-place finish at this year’s Touch World Cup, picking up massive wins over England, Japan and South Africa. The school’s side boasts significant attacking firepower, with Liam Bissett and Jake Medved known for their try-scoring ability. If NSWCIS can build early momentum in the tournament, they’ll be well-positioned to make a strong push for the finals 

South West Queensland Swans: The Swans’ 18s Boys team is arguably as stacked as it’s ever been. Seven members of the side that were crowned champions of the 16s Boys division in 2022 are back representing the South West region in 2024, bringing a well-established team chemistry to their campaign. Of the newcomers to the team, Lennix Teika will be one name familiar to Touch Football enthusiasts, with the exciting link ready to electrify crowds once again on the national stage. The Gold Coast representative, along with Sam Sheppard and Bailey Deakin, brings valuable international experience from the Athelite Australian Emus' triumph at last year’s Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup. With plenty of talent across the board and a team with familiarity playing together on the national stage, the Swans will fancy their chances of going deep into this tournament. 

Games To Watch 

NSWCHS V SQ SHARKS ROUND 3: When these two sides last met on the Sunshine Coast, they produced an instant classic. In a spectacular and intense Quarter Final, Kyer Teika thought he had done enough to send the game into extra time throwing a clutch dummy close to the line. But in the final play of the game, Blake Wardrobe danced across the field to find Reg Nichols in open space, reclaiming the lead and securing NSWCHS's spot in the Semi-Finals. One year on and the Sharks will be desperate for redemption. With plenty of stars on both sides, this game is guaranteed to be one to watch.  

HW HORNETS V NQ CYCLONES ROUND 4: If either side wants to dream of playing finals footy, this match looms as a must-win game. In 2023, the two regional entities clashed in the play-off stage. On that occasion, the Hunter Western Hornets ran away with bragging rights and a ninth-place finish. Now finding themselves in the same pool, both teams will fancy their chances of coming out on top, with the winner only increasing their chances of snatching a top-four spot.  

NSWCCC V NSWCHS ROUND 5: The two NSW rivals are set to clash on day two of the NYC this week, in what could be a tournament-defining matchup for both teams. Last year they delivered one of the games of the tournament, when they met in a highly entertaining Semi-Final. With momentum shifting multiple times throughout the contest, it was the Catholic Schools side that emerged victorious, scoring a come-from-behind victory 8 tries to 6. Tournament seedings will see the two teams enter the same group and if last year’s Semi-Final is anything to go by, expect forty minutes of high-energy Touch Footy with highlights galore.  

QRSS V NSWCIS ROUND 5: In the final match of the group stage, and one that could have major implications for the finals bracket, QRSS and NSWCIS will face off. In 2023, the Queenslanders ran away comfortable winners 11 tries to 2, but with two brand new teams travelling to Coffs Harbour, a similar result is far from guaranteed. Featuring some of the top Touch Football prospects in the world, this match promises to be exciting. If both teams enter the game with a string of wins, it could easily become one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament. 

To see the Boys 18s division draw in its entirety, CLICK HERE.  

CLICK HERE, to learn more about some of the key players to watch this week. 

Closing Thoughts 

QRSS will head into this year's tournament as the favourites to reclaim their title, but with so much talent on display, anything can happen in a single game of Touch Footy. 

The DoorDash National Youth Championships tap off Wednesday, September 25 at Coffs Harbour. Watch the action live and free on Kayo Sports in Australia, on Sky Sport in New Zealand, and Sky Sport Next in other global territories.