After a two-month delay, the 2025 edition of The Championships is set to tap off this Friday. The last three Mixed Open tournaments have produced three different winners in a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the division. Expect more of the same this year, with a plethora of talent ready to set Coffs Harbour alight. From emerging stars to seasoned veterans, here are five key players to watch this week.
Haratio Edwards – Sydney Mets
After an outstanding performance in the Men’s 20s Grand Final last year, Haratio Edwards is back representing the Mets, this time in the Mixed Open division. Expected to be one of the key figures of this side in the middle of the park, his elite short ball game and sharp footwork from dummy half make him a constant threat. Playing an exciting eyes-up style of Touch Footy, the Penrith representative isn’t scared to play what’s in front of him. 2024 was a breakout year for the former Australian youth representative, headlined by standout performances at the Touch World Cup for the Cook Islands Men’s Open team, and being named a finalist for the NSW Touch Association Junior Male Player of the Year award. Now back on the national stage, Haratio is ready to produce more highlights in the Sydney Mets jersey.
Jasmyn Vera – Sydney Scorpions
This May, Jazz Vera is set to compete in the Mixed Open division for the Sydney Scorpions following a quarter-final finish in the Women’s 20s in 2024. The last time she competed in the Mixed Open division, she earned the Scorpions Eltakchi Medal for best and fairest in the team. The past twelve months have seen her game reach another level, peaking just a few weeks back at the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup, where she scored seven tries for the Australian Mixed 20s side that were crowned champions. A clinical finisher, the winger has taken her footwork and agility to a new level over the past year, adding an extra dimension to her game. She’s just as impactful on her own line too, with her defensive reads leading to many intercepts over the years. Come the big moments of this tournament, the Scorpions can rely on Jazz Vera to deliver when it counts.
Rebecca Mi Mi – South West Queensland Swans
Rebecca Mi Mi is back in Swans’ colours in 2025, with the versatile Aussie set to compete in the Mixed Open division for the first time ever on the national stage. Capped off by earning the Queensland Touch Football Women’s Open Player of the Year award, Bec Mi Mi’s 2024 was one of the best calendar years seen in recent Touch Football memory. Starting off by earning the Bo de la Cruz medal at the Touch Football All Stars game in Townsville, she then earned the Karen Smith Player of the Series award as her UQ Rebels were crowned Women’s Open national champions. Things continued to get better when she travelled to Nottingham, England in July, winning gold with the Athelite Australian Emus at the Touch World Cup. An adaptable playmaker, the Queenslander can dictate the flow of a game with ball in hand. On the other end of the field, she’s one of the best defenders in the world, and can always be relied upon to hold her own. As she heads into another national campaign, Bec Mi Mi is ready to showcase her skills once again on the Touch field.
Josh Rozairo – Southern Rebels
A mainstay in the Southern Rebels outfit, Josh Rozairo will be critical to the Rebels’ chance of adding another national title to their trophy cabinet. Expected to control the tempo of the game when he’s on the field, the New South Wales representative’s combinations with Rohit Prasad and Keeron Hughes may very well be the difference maker between an early round exit and another Grand Final appearance. With some of the sport’s best short balls up his sleeve, expect Josh to send through his teammates into open space throughout this tournament, whether it’s to help move up the field or send them over the tryline. A big game player who knows exactly what it takes to win titles, Joshua Rozairo will be instrumental to the Rebels’ campaign in 2025.
James Price – Coolum Bluefins
Athelite Australian Emu #221 James Price will compete at The Championships under the Coolum Bluefins banner for the first time in his career. The highly skilled playmaker is no stranger to the Mixed Open format, scoring thirteen tries in Nottingham last July as his Australian side were crowned world champions in the division. Light on his feet, his ability to stretch the Touch field is second to none. If he’s not crossing over himself, he’s throwing it long to his wingers in open space. From his time in the green and gold to recent outings with Redlands Touch, it’s quite clear that James Price is a dream teammate to have. The combinations and set plays he develops with his team are noteworthy. With James spearheading the attack, could the Coolum Bluefins claim a historic title in the Mixed Open division?
The Championships tap off Friday May 30th in Coffs Harbour. The Championships are available to watch live and free on Kayo Sports in Australia, on Sky Sport in New Zealand and Sky Sports Next in all other global territories.
