DoorDash National Youth Championships 18s Girls Preview

We’re only one night’s sleep away from the start of the thirty-second annual DoorDash National Youth Championships (NYC) and the 18s Girls division is stacked – with plenty of talent across the board. Fourteen teams will make the trip to Coffs Harbour with the dream of being crowned national champions, but only one will prevail. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the 18s Girls division this year. 

Participating Teams

POOL A 

• Queensland Representative Schools Sport (QRSS) 
• Sydney Scorpions 
• New South Wales Combined Independent Schools (NSWCIS) 
• South Queensland Sharks 
• Victoria Storm 
• Tasmania Thunder 
• South Australia Heat 

POOL B 

• New South Wales Combined High Schools (NSWCHS) 
• New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) 
• South West Queensland Swans 
• Brisbane Cobras 
• Australian Capital Territory Raiders 
• Sunshine Coast Pineapples 
• Western Australia Tigers 
   

Honour Board

• QRSS / QSST – 20-Time Champions: 2023, 2022, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2009-2006, 2004, 202-1997, 1995, 1994 
• NSWCHS – 7-Time Champions: 2017, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2003, 1996 
• South Queensland Sharks – 2-Time Champions: 2020, 2019 
• North Queensland Cyclones – 1-Time Champion: 2021 
• NSWCCC – 1-Time Champion: 1993 

Numbers That Matter 

• 23: Out of the thirty-two NYC Grand Finals played, twenty-three have featured a State of Origin showdown between QRSS and NSWCHS. One of the best rivalries in junior Touch Football, matches between these two teams consistently deliver exciting highlights, showcasing some of the best up-and-coming Touch Football talent in the world. As always, if these two teams meet later in the tournament, expect some fireworks. 
• 53: With fifty-three tries, Shannon Rose is the all-time leading try scorer in the 18s Girls division. Of this year’s teams, Rhani Hagan is the leading contender to get in touching distance of that record, with the Queenslander currently sitting on thirty-three tries.  
• 1: A regional entity has only once defeated a schools' system team in the NYC Grand Final. The South Queensland Sharks in 2019 defeated QSSR and in the process won their first-ever NYC title in the division.  
• 8: In the last three years, eight different teams have participated in the Semi-Finals at NYC, highlighting the growing range of talent across the division. 

The Favourites 

Queensland Representative Schools Sport: Long established as the benchmark of junior Touch Football in Australia, QRSS will head into NYC with one of the strongest teams in the division. Since 1993 (excluding 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions) the Queensland side has never failed to reach the Grand Final, and this September they will be hoping to win national title number twenty-one. This year’s squad contains plenty of pedigree including Australian youth representatives Rhani Hagan and Lilla Pratt. With an extensive number of options on attack expect the school’s side to produce plenty of exciting highlights throughout the week, with their games must-see Touch Football. What takes this contingent to the next level is their ability to control the game in the middle, thanks to the likes of Charli Nikola and Anika Te Namu. With plenty of stars across the park, QRSS will once again be the team to beat at NYC.   

New South Wales Combined High Schools: 2024 marks seven years since NSWCHS were last crowned national champions in the 18s Girls division, equalling the longest drought in their history. However, with half of their 2023 squad returning this year, the sky-blue side will be confident of their chances of winning. The NSW entity is poised to start its campaign strong, with the likes of Anika McCarthy, Coco Marsters, and Alice Mitchell already showing strong chemistry together from their efforts on the Sunshine Coast last year. Kelsey and Talia Berryman are set to be one of the duos to watch this tournament, with the two Cook Islands Women’s Open representatives instrumental in the Pacific nation’s sixth-place finish at this year’s World Cup. Of the debuting members of this year’s squad, Waiaria Ellis is a clear standout. The Australian youth representative has taken her game to another level this year and is one of the best ball runners in the division. With plenty of firepower on attack and a squad that will work hard for each other on defence, NSWCHS will certainly head into NYC this year as one of the top contenders to take home the crown.  

New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges: Bronze medallists in 2023, NSWCCC are on the hunt for their first national title since the competition’s inception in 1993. With seventy-five tries, the Catholic school’s side had the third-best attack in the division on the Sunshine Coast. Their offensive capabilities ensured that despite losing twice in the group stage, the NSW side finished their group in second place ahead of NSWCIS to secure a semi-final spot. Attacking stalwarts Ava Glassie, Stevie Botham, and Tynise Bowrey will ensure that the team will once again head into NYC with one of the best attacks in the tournament. Despite going down to QSST in the Semi-Final, the NSWCCC girls didn’t make it easy, piling plenty of pressure early on, including opening the scoring. Valuable lessons were learnt in defeat and should the two sides cross paths again, expect there to be fireworks.  

The Dark Horses 

New South Wales Combined Independent Schools: A well-balanced side, NSWCIS had one of the strongest defences in the 18s Girls division on the Sunshine Coast. Despite falling short of a Semi-Finals birth, NSWCIS proved to be a tough matchup for anyone in the division, only losing once. With workhorses like Claudia Meaker and Polly Roche leading the charge, the NSWCIS girls will be sure to back themselves on defence once again. What makes the outfit stand out as a title contender will be their offensive impact, with plenty of attacking weapons at their disposal this year. 2023 team MVP Lily Clarke is once again on deck to spearhead the attack, whilst the likes of Phoebe Joslin and Talea Tonga will be instrumental in building up the attack in the middle third. With all these options at their disposal, NSWCIS looks set to be a tough matchup for anyone in their division, and one certainly capable of having a deep run this tournament. 

South West Queensland Swans: In 2023, the Swans concluded the group stage with the fourth-best attack in the division. Scoring sixty-eight tries across nine games, the regional entity played some of the best Touch of the tournament, delivering excellent passages of play. Some of the top try scorers of last year’s contingent will be returning – including Ella Searston and Molly Van Heerden. Of the newcomers, Laura Fry is a standout, with the winger having a breakthrough campaign this March at The Championships where she scored seventeen tries in the Women’s 20s division. Another key addition to the side is Kaylee Gorroick who scored eight tries in the 16s Girls division last year. With attacking stars across the park, expect the South West Queensland region to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this tournament.  

Sydney Scorpions: In 2023, the Sydney Scorpions competed in the 18s Girls division for the first time since 2011, advancing to the Semi-Finals in an impressive showing. A key addition to the side in 2024 is prolific try scorer Summer Anderson. Crossing the line fifteen times last September, the former NSWCHS representative will be making her debut for the Scorpions contingent this year. Defensively, the team has a strong foundation in the forms of Alyssa Medved and Olivia Durdevic, with the Manly representatives both known for their high work ethic. A well-balanced side should the Scorpions manage to pick up a few wins early in the group stage, they’ll fancy their chances of having another run in the finals.  

Games To Watch 

SYD SCORPIONS v NSWCIS ROUND 3: The two NSW entities are set to clash for the first time since 2010. As two key contenders in their group, the result of this game could have massive ramifications towards how the finals bracket shapes up. Both teams possess plenty of attacking superstars of the game, as well as some of the best defenders in the division. What will happen when these two well-balanced teams battle it out on day one?  

NSWCHS v SWQ SWANS ROUND 3: A crucial game for the make-up of Pool B, two of the top contenders of the group are set to do battle Wednesday afternoon in Coffs Harbour. The two sides have not crossed paths since 2018 when the Sharks prevailed in an intense Semi-Final. Six years on and another enthralling clash is to be expected. With some of the most exciting attacking talent in the division set to take the field, prepare for plenty of highlights in this one.   

NSWCHS v NSWCCC ROUND 5: An all-schools NSW derby, both sides are well-balanced on both ends of the field, ensuring that we're set for a nail-biter on day two. When the two sides met in the group stage last year, it was the Combined High Schools side that emerged victorious running away winners 11 tries to 4. In 2024, the two rivals are expected to once again be in the thick of things come finals time, with this clash likely to be instrumental to determining both sides' run in the finals. With some of the top prospects in the state, this match is set to be a particularly entertaining spectacle for avoid Touch Football enthusiasts of NSW. 

QRSS v NSWCIS ROUND 6: A crucial clash in the makeup of Pool A, the two school system entities are set to open proceedings on Day 3 of this year’s NYC, in what will be their final group stage match. Facing off for the first time in two years, both sides are expected to still be in contention come the latter stages of this tournament. A win in this clash could set the tone for their push toward the finals on Days 3 and 4. With some of the best-emerging prospects from either side of the border, expect this State of Origin affair to deliver some highlights. 

To see the Girls 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 

Recent history indicates that QRSS and NSWCHS are the two clear favourites of the division and will likely set the tone for the group stage. However, looking at the field this year, expect plenty of high-quality games of Touch Footy, with each team having one or two impact players that can change the balance of the game in a single play.  

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.