2025 Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup Launched in Redcliffe

In a celebration of youth talent, the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup (APYTC) returns this week in Redcliffe to showcase the best emerging Touch Football talent from across the South Pacific region in three days of international competition.

To be hosted at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, home of the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL), the APYTC will feature twenty-three teams across ten nations including top two ranked nations Australia and New Zealand, and emerging nations in the Philippines, Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, and Tonga. Lebanon will also feature in the youth event, continuing their development following their strong performance in last year’s Touch World Cup where they claimed Bronze in the Men’s Open.

The international youth event will feature six divisions across Boys, Girls, and Mixed 18s; and Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed 20s. The APYTC follows last month’s Open Trans-Tasman Series (OTTS) held in Christchurch – a tri-series contest between Australia and New Zealand Open teams where the Athelite Australian Emus achieved a series clean sweep.

The inaugural APYTC in 2023 saw Australia sweep the series with wins in all six divisions to be crowned Champion Nation – one against the Philippines and five against New Zealand – with the Trans-Tasman rivalry expected to be reignited at this year’s event in the City of Moreton Bay.

Touch Football continues to ignite the next generation of athletes who will have the opportunity to show their wares at the APYTC in light of a new World Cup cycle. A host of NRL and NRLW stars including Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sandon Smith, Tarryn Aiken, and Tamika Upton have previously donned the green and gold of the Athelite Australian Emus at the youth level on their journey to elite athletes – highlighting the opportunities presented by the sport.

Touch Football Australia CEO, Marcus Ashcroft praised the impact of the international event and its capacity to create a platform for a plethora of young talent.

“The Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup presents a fantastic opportunity for the best youth talent from across the South Pacific region to compete on the international stage, in what is a critical component of our high-performance pathways,” Ashcroft said.

“We are thrilled to host this event with the support of City of Moreton Bay and look forward to seeing all the exciting talent on display this week.”

City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery said he was proud that, for the first time, City of Moreton Bay’s Kayo Stadium would be the Australian host destination for the incredible and up-and-coming Touch Football talent in this international contest.

“City of Moreton Bay has established itself as a premier destination for international level sporting competition, and I’m certain the almost 2,000 expected visitors will enjoy the beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming surrounds of the City,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We’ve invested significantly in Kayo Stadium, creating a facility with lasting benefits as it continues to attract sporting events and visitors to our City. As home of the Dolphins NRL team, it gives athletes the chance to train and compete in a world-class environment here in City of Moreton Bay.”

“We’re happy to welcome and support the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup, which reflects our City’s values of strength through diversity and a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Chair of Federation of International Touch (FIT), Peter Topp highlighted the continued growth of the international game ahead of the youth event.

"On behalf of FIT, I'd like to thank Touch Football Australia and City of Moreton Bay for their support in bringing this second iteration of the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup to fruition. I would also like to thank all the volunteers at TFA and across the participating nations for their commitment to making the event possible,” Topp said.

"With an increase in the number of teams and nations taking part in both this event and the Atlantic Cup equivalent in Ireland in August, we are delighted to see further growth across the junior international game. Finally, I would like to wish all those participating as players, referees, coaches, and support staff an enjoyable and successful event."

The event is being held at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, Queensland from Thursday, 15 May to Saturday, 17 May 2025. Entry is free and all are welcome to attend.

Fans can watch the event exclusively live and free on Kayo Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand, and Sky Sport Next in other global territories.

The Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup is proudly supported by City of Moreton Bay.