NEW South Wales defeated Queensland 9-6 to retain the State of Origin Touch Football shield at C.ex International Stadium last week.

Over 500 of the best touch football players across the two states competed over a two day period which included some household names including former Australian rugby league internationals Scott Prince, Chelsea Baker and AFLW player Paige Parker.

Queensland won both the men’s and women’s opens but NSW dominated the age group matches and won all five of the fixtures in the over 40s to over 60s age groups.

Events manager Ben Williams praised Coffs Harbour as a sporting venue, “Sunny Coffs Harbour is a great venue both to play in and watch Touch Football, the pitch is in magnificent condition.

“It’s great bringing the event to Regional New South Wales, players and families can have a holiday and get together because it is a great meeting location,” said Ben.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh is a passionate touch football player who played representative football for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in Sydney and proudly spoke of the 30 year history Coffs Harbour has established with the touch football community.

“Touch footy has a long history in Coffs Harbour, for over 30 years the competition has been played in Coffs Harbour and it’s great to have them returning year after year, they are a great crowd, they love us and we love them, last year was postponed due to COVID so it’s a big boost for the town to have them back.

“This week we host two rounds of the women’s Super W series and are expecting strong crowds to come out and support women’s rugby.

“Brianna Hoy and Kaitlan Leaney get to play in front of a home crowd, we are delighted that a national competition of this size is playing two rounds in Coffs Harbour, it’s great for the town,” said Mr Singh.

NSW WON THE SERIES 9 – 6 (invitational teams in this series do not count towards the overall points tally)

MEN’S OPEN – QLD win 3-0 Player of the Series Harry Griffin

WOMEN’S OPEN – QLD win 2-1 Player of the Series Lucia Fildes

MIXED OPEN – NSW win 2-1 Player of the Series Daniel Stone

SENIOR MIXED – QLD win 2-1 Player of the Series Daniel Withers

MEN’S 20 – QLD win 2-1 Player of the Series James Hegedus QLD

WOMEN’S 20 – NSW win 2-1 Player of the Series Kiahla Duff NSW

WOMEN’S 27 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series Rebecca Beath NSW

MEN’S 30 – NSW 3-0 Player of the Series Scott Buckley NSW

MEN’S 35 – QLD 3-0 Player of the Series Khanui Cox QLD

WOMEN’S 35 – QLD 3-0 Player of the Series Bo De La Cruz QLD

MEN’S 40 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series Adam Fahim NSW

WOMEN’S 40 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series Rachelle Darcy

MEN’S 45 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series Tony Eltakchi

WOMEN’S 45’s – NSW 3-0 Player of the Series Johanne Joe (invitational team)

MEN’S 50 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series Mark Leonard

MEN’S 55 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series David Cheung

MEN’S 60 – NSW 2-1 Player of the Series Gordon Parish (invitational team)

 

By David WIGLEY