From a new look Championships to a historical Touch World Cup (TWC) campaign, 2024 was a scintillating year for Touch Football with plenty of exciting moments. Here is the story of 2024 told by the numbers that mattered.
1 – The history makers. For the first time ever, NSW Combined Independent Schools (NSWCIS) were crowned champions in the 18s Boys division at the DoorDash National Youth Championships (NYC), defeating Queensland Representative Schools Sport (QRSS) five tries to four in an epic final. Special shout-out to Tamoko Berryman-Duff, who earned ENRGPRO Player of the Final honours.
2 – Two tries to Relle Donovan helped secure the 2024 Women’s 40s TWC Gold Medal for Australia, as the Athelite Australian Emus became the inaugural champions of the new division. This also earned her Player of the Final honours.
3 – The UQ Rebels completed a rare treble this March at The Championships. After emerging victorious in the 2023 Metro Cup and QLD State Cup, the Women’s Open side rounded out the 2023/24 season with a national title, defeating the Sydney Scorpions six tries to five in a thrilling encounter.
4 – Four Athelite Australian Emus were bestowed the prestigious honour of the Ron Hanson Medal this June. Congratulations once again to Kelly Kennedy, Troy Morgan, Patricia Michaelopolous, and Phil Gyemore as Australia’s flag-bearers in 2024. The Ron Hanson Medal was introduced by Touch Football Australia (TFA) in 2010 to honour Australian flag-bearers appointed for Open and Masters international tournaments. The prestigious accolade is awarded to those men and women who best demonstrate the high-performance program's values of leadership, loyalty, pride, respect, integrity, humility, and commitment, both on and off the field.
5 – The Māori and Indigenous sides clashed in their fifth All Stars match this February in Townsville, with the Indigenous side running away winners seven tries to two. Standout performances from Keeron Hughes and Rebecca Mi Mi, who notched her third consecutive Bo de la Cruz medal, ensured that the overall series ledger was squared up.
6 – Ending a six-year drought, the NYC 18s Girls title returned to NSW, with the Combined High Schools (NSWCHS) side emerging victorious over arch-rivals QRSS. In a final that required a drop-off, Anika McCarthy scored the match-winner, crossing the line in wet and slippery conditions. Alice Mitchell was also awarded ENRGPRO Player of the Final honours.
7 – TFA inducted seven new members to the Hall of Fame this June at the Emus Gala Dinner. Congratulations once again to Bo de la Cruz, Drumayne Dayberg-Muir, Amanda Judd, Kristy Judd, Garry Sonda, Gavin Shuker, and Louise Winchester for their induction into the TFA Hall of Fame.
8 – The Sydney Scorpions claimed the overall champion entity award at this year's Championships, competing in eight of the twenty-one finals contested and winning four of them.
9 – Long considered the standard bearer of excellence in Mixed Touch Football, the Southern Rebels claimed their ninth national title in the division this March at The Championships. Reasserting their dominance, the Rebels ran out winners nine tries to four in a classy display.
10 – For the first time ever, Touch Football affiliates were allowed to compete at The Championships, with ten teams debuting at the event – claiming six titles. Arana Touch, Ballina Bullsharks, BMTA Mustangs, Coolum Bluefins, Hills Hornets, Moorabbin Lions, Northern Beaches Renegades, Tamworth Titans, Townsville Saints, and UQ Rebels all travelled to Coffs Harbour to compete at the national competition for the first time ever.
11 – Eleven of the thirteen TWC Gold Medal matches contested this year were Trans-Tasman matches. One of the oldest and biggest rivalries in the sport, each final was a sight to behold providing plenty of drama and excitement.
12 – Winning twelve out of thirteen Gold Medals, Australia reaffirmed their position as the global benchmark of Touch Football this July, when they ventured to Nottingham, England for the 2024 TWC. Claiming two more titles than they did in Malaysia, the performance will go down as one of Australia's best-ever World Cup campaigns.
13 – This year, Joondalup Touch was bestowed the honour of the 2024 Red Rooster Community Club of The Year, recognised for their various initiatives implemented. One of their key initiatives is the development of their Junior Jets Program, which has seen thirteen local businesses contribute to the cause with prizes. Learn more about their story here.
14 – A historic campaign for Arana Touch, the Affiliate’s Men’s 45s team were crowned national champions in a tense final against the Central Queensland Bulls. Player of the Final Adam Page proved to be a key threat throughout the tournament, notching up fourteen tries to his name.
15 – Zac Griggs had a campaign to remember this September at the NYC, crossing the line fifteen times for QRSS. This earned him top try-scorer honours for the 18s Boys division, with the dynamic winger a constant threat with the ball in hand.
16 – Announced in 2023, TFA’s most recent Life Member Ken Golden OAM was formally recognised at the Emus Gala Dinner this June. With over four decades of dedication to the sport, Ken is the sixteenth person to receive a Life Membership at TFA.
17 – One for the record books with Athelite Australian Emus Men’s Open representative Shaun Francis smashing the record for most tries scored in a single TWC game, crossing the line seventeen times against Oman.
18 – Laura Bain led the way for the Women's 35s team this July at the TWC, scoring eighteen tries on the way to winning gold for Australia.
19 – The Championships in March saw a record 165 teams compete for national supremacy. This is nineteen teams more than the previous record achieved in 2010.
20 – Recognised at the Emus Gala Dinner held in July, twenty Athelite Australian Emus were bestowed captaincy honours for their respective teams at this year’s TWC. Being named captain means upholding the culture and values of the Emus jersey and leading a team on and off the field with respect and leadership at the pinnacle of our sport.
21 – With twenty-one tries, Ben Glasby of the South West Queensland Swans All Abilities Tier 2 (AAT2) team was the top try-scorer of the 2024 Championships. Fellow AAT2 players Clay Perkins and Zachery Conte (Both Northern Eagles Players) rounded out the podium, scoring twenty and eighteen tries respectively.
22 – Once again setting the benchmark for Touch Football excellence, the Australian Women’s Open side was a class above the rest at this year’s TWC. Across the twelve games they played, the side scored 180 tries to only eight conceded, winning each game with an average 22.5 try margin.
23 – Kylie Stewart represented Australia for the first time in twenty-three years this July in Nottingham. 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. At this year’s TWC, she represented the Women’s 40s team.
24 – In 2024, TFA received ninety amazing applications for the DoorDash Footy Cash Grants program. In the end, twenty-four inspiring winners were selected. Congratulations to all recipients.
25 – Diversity and inclusion amongst participants has again grown in 2024. In the last financial year, CALD participation increased by 25.8% to 52,605, whilst All Abilities athletes grew by 25.7% nationwide.
26 – This March in Coffs Harbour, Dave Zanette competed at The Championships (formerly known as National Touch League) for the twenty-sixth time in his career.
27 – The Australian Mixed Open sides’ 27-0 win over Spain was the biggest winning margin recorded at this year’s TWC. The result was achieved in Round 6.
28 – This February, Bill Sheeky was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for his twenty-eight years of involvement with the Demons Touch Football Association. Bill founded the club and continues to be heavily involved as a player, coach, and President.
29 – Average daily viewers increased by 29% at The Championships this March.
30 – One of the all-time great State Cup finishes, Doyalson Touch emerged victorious in the Men’s Open final against Newcastle Touch, thanks to a last-second try to Daniel Langbridge. In the thirtieth minute and with one play remaining in regular time, Daniel made something out of nothing, ensuring the Doyalson Dragons Dynasty continued for another year. Watch all the action from an epic final day of the State Cup now on Kayo Sports.
31 – Thirty-one teams attended the 2024 edition of the Tasmania Junior State Cup, with sunny conditions welcoming participants to Meercroft Park. The Bears were crowned Overall Club Champions for their efforts across the weekend, whilst Launceston Touch Association successfully retained their Junior State Cup title.
32 – Mary Wachman, a cornerstone of the Eastern Suburbs Touch Association (ESTA) was this year honoured as the thirty-second Life Member of the New South Wales Touch Association (NSWTA). A founding member of ESTA in 1985, Mary has been an ever-present force within the organisation, serving continuously on the committee since inception and driving both park Touch Football and the junior and senior representative programs.
33 – In July, Australia were crowned the first-ever world champions of the Men's 55s division at the TWC, defeating New Zealand in a thrilling final. With the score tied in the 33rd minute, Steve Hughes' brilliant footwork helped the Aussies take the lead, 4 tries to 3. From that point on, the Emus held onto their advantage, securing the inaugural gold medal for the division and bringing it home to Australia.
34 – Two of the three top try scorers from the 2024 TWC were Australian. Congratulations to Olivia Goodsell (Mixed Open) and Cristin Davidson (Men’s 50s), who alongside New Zealand’s Tre Poihipi, topped the leaderboard with thirty-four tries apiece.
35 – After thirty-five years in the sport, Cathy Gray, the first ever TFA female Life Member retired from her role this July at the TWC. Serving in the High-Performance Program, Cathy has attended forty-one international tournaments, from the Youth Trans-Tasman Test Series in 1992 in Auckland to the most recent TWC in Nottingham.
36 – At this year’s TWC, the Athelite Australian Emus Men’s and Women’s Opens teams both successively defended their titles, emerging triumphant in their Gold Medal clashes against New Zealand. In the final match of the tournament, the Women's side withstood early pressure from the Kiwis to run away victors six tries to two. Following that performance, the Men’s side backed it up, defeating New Zealand nine tries to six in a Touch Football spectacle. The wins ensured that the Men’s and Women’s sides retained their status as the best nation in the world for the thirty-sixth consecutive year.
37 – Thirty-seven teams participated this year at the National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout (NITFKO) in Dubbo, making it well and truly the largest in the event’s history. Find out more about the weekend here.
38 – The Joel Caine-coached Southern Rebels were crowned champions in the 12s Boys division at NYC for the first time ever. Producing some excellent touch in unideal conditions, the New South Wales side earned a 38-point differential across the week, going the tournament undefeated.
39 – A streak dating back to 2015, the Australian Women’s Open side is now thirty-nine games unbeaten following their successful 2024 TWC campaign.
40 – One of the all-time great international matches, the Australian Mixed Open team defeated arch-rivals New Zealand in an epic Gold Medal match at this year’s TWC. Player of the Final Stephanie Maiolo scored the match-winning try in the fortieth minute of a game that required a drop-off.
41 – A historic year for the nation’s capital, the ACT Raiders were crowned national champions in the Women’s 45s division at The Championships this year, earning a 41-point difference overall along the way. The moment marked their first national title since 2017, and their first in the division.
42 – The Hunter Western Hornets were crowned national champions in the Men’s Open division for the first time since 2020. Defeating the South West Queensland Swans in the final, the Hornets accumulated a point differential of forty-two tries over the weekend, going the tournament undefeated.
43 – This October, NSWTA inducted new members to their Hall of Fame. With the 2020 inductions postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hall of Fame returned to honour contributors to the sport in NSW. The seventeen latest inductees now see the prestigious group increase to forty-three members. Congratulations to all the recipients inducted this year.
44 – The 2024 Championships saw a 44% increase in referee numbers attending the event, taking the total to a record 230. The event also saw twenty-nine referees officiate at the national event for the first time.
45 – In 2024, Queensland Touch Football (QTF), celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary. From its inception, QTF has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of Touch Football across the state, not just as a sport but as a community, shaping it into one of the most beloved sports in Queensland.
46 – One of the key performers of the 2024 Women’s Open side, Hannah Dyball brought up forty-six caps for Australia this Touch World Cup.
47 – Congratulations to Zali Chippendale (Torres Strait Islander) and Riley Jones (Wonnarua) who both made their Indigenous All Stars debuts this February in Townsville. The two became the forty-seventh and forty-eighth respective players to represent the Indigenous Touch Football side.
48 – The forty-eighth edition of the Vawdon Cup concluded on November 17 to much acclaim, with the Tempe Velodrome hosting some incredible action. Relive the drama and excitement now on Kayo Sports.
49 – Another accolade to the Australian Women’s Open team, the Emus scored a staggering 147 tries to only three conceded during the group stage of this year’s TWC. Conceding a try every forty-nine they scored, this proved to be the strongest group stage performance of any team at the tournament.
50 – Several Australian players, coaches, and referees brought up a half-century of caps at international level. Congratulations to Peter Norman, David Roberts, Swain Rovelli, Manu Wakely, Renee Murphy, Michael Landsberg, Matt Lavery, Victor Naumovski, and Nicole Alexander for reaching the fifty-cap mark at this year’s TWC.
