In the history of Touch Football, we have witnessed many iconic moments and achievements. Over the years, some performances from individuals and teams have seen themselves etched into the Touch Football record books. Here are some records that you may never see broken in our lifetime.
Drumayne Dayberg-Muir: 151 Tries at The Championships (Opens Level)
Last March at The Championships, Drummy became the first player in national history to surpass 150 tries at Opens level. Currently sitting on 151, the South Queensland Sharks representative will be hoping to extend his lead at the top in the coming years. To reach the 150 mark at national level is impressive in itself, but to achieve this feat at Opens level only is truly remarkable. The closest contenders to this record currently active are Leah Percy (112), Tommy Quinlivan (109), Roy Prasad (101), and Malcolm Kenny (101).
Southern Rebels Mixed Open: 50 Game Win Streak at The Championships (2011 – 2016)
When it comes to the Mixed Open division at The Championships, the Southern (FKA Sydney) Rebels have become the benchmark. Much of this reputation was earned in the early 2010s when they went on a phenomenal fifty game win streak on the national stage. Winning five titles during this time, the Rebels were unstoppable, with the Brisbane Cobras bringing an end to their reign in 2016. Australian internationals Roy Prasad, Manu Wakely, and Carly Walsh were just a few of the mainstays of this team.
Gian Guerra: 43 Tries at The Championships (Youth Level)
Shifting focus to the Men’s and Women’s 20s division, Gian Guerra’s record of forty-three tries at Youth level at The Championships firmly holds the top spot. The Cyclones representative competed in the Men’s 20s division six times before moving up to the Opens divisions. To make that many appearances at Youth level on the national stage is extremely rare, ensuring that his record forty-three tries may never be touched. During the T League era, Jake Hooper of the South West Queensland Swans came agonisingly close, reaching forty-two tries in his six appearances in the division. Should they continue to ply their trade in the Men’s and Women’s 20s divisions respectfully, there are a handful of emerging stars who may get in touching distance of the record. Lily Neill (22), Sam Sheppard (21), and Ruby Cannon (19) are the top contenders still eligible to chase the record. However, the three Queenslanders have now started competing at the Open's level.
73 Game Win Streak: Australian Women’s Open Team at the Touch World Cup (1988 – 2015)
From the first Touch World Cup on the Gold Coast to the group stage in Coffs Harbour, the Australian Women’s Open team went on an incredible seventy-three game unbeaten run. Their World Cup streak, spanning twenty-seven years without a loss, includes an impressive seven Gold Medals. Losing to New Zealand four tries to two in 2015, the Aussies did manage to get retribution on their Trans-Tasman rivals in the Gold Medal match, winning eight tries to four. As of writing, the Athelite Australian Emus are twenty games undefeated, having emerged as World Champions both in 2019 and 2024. However, with the quality of international Touch continuing to improve, it will be truly remarkable for the Australian Women’s side's win streak to reach that mark again.
Australia 32 – Cook Islands 0: Largest International Winning Margin
Back in 1991, the Australian Men’s 35s side defeated the Cook Islands thirty-two tries to nil in the Touch World Cup held in Auckland. The record has come close to being matched several times in the past, including the Australian Mixed Open side’s 27–0 win against Spain at the most recent World Cup. However, as the international game continues to grow, and quality of opposition beyond traditional powerhouses Australia and New Zealand continues to improve, this record may be one that remains untouched.
Shaun Francis: 17 Tries in a Single World Cup Game
Last year in Nottingham, Australian Men’s Open winger, Shaun Francis smashed the record for most World Cup tries scored in a single game, crossing the line seventeen times in one game during the group stage. A perfect game on the sideline, the Queenslander set the new individual record in a 24-0 win against Oman. Touch Footballers will have to wait at least three years for another opportunity to see the record be reached. That being said, it'll take a near flawless performance for aspiring wingers to reach this milestone.
Queensland Representative School Sport 18s Girls: 58 Game Win Streak at the National Youth Championships (1997 – 2003)
In modern day Touch Football, the Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) contingent are the standard bearers of youth Touch Football at a national level. To be crowned champions at the DoorDash National Youth Championships, it’s highly likely you’ll need to defeat the school outfit at some point. A big part of this modern reputation came from their dominance in the early days of the tournament's development. Between 1997 and 2003, QRSS (FKA Queensland State SSTA) went on an incredible fifty-eight game win streak at the event, winning six titles along the way. Ultimately, their streak ended in 2003 at the hands of NSW Combined High Schools. In recent years, we’ve seen the Queensland side reach some significant win streaks, but nothing will likely ever come near their dominance in the late 90s and early 00s.
