The New South Wales Touch Association is extremely pleased to announce that the Junior State Cup State Finals will be played in Wollongong for the next three years.
Due to the growth and success of the Junior State Cup, the state body has been forced to split the event into a North and South Conference culminating in a state final with teams qualifying from both conferences.
Thomas Dalton Park, the home of Wollongong Devils Touch Association, which previously hosted the Junior State Cup for some 12 years, will see 160 teams across ten divisions once again grace their playing fields. When added to the officials, families, friends and spectators it is expected that more than 6000 people will venture to the precinct over the course of the weekend. Making it one of the most significant representative touch football events in the world.
“We are extremely pleased to be once again partnering with Wollongong Council, Destination Wollongong and the local Wollongong Touch Association to bring this exciting new event to the region. It is an area with strong links to the Junior State Cup and with a renewed commitment from the community and indeed the dynamic Touch Association it was hard for us to look past Wollongong as our inaugural venue ” stated NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell.
“With the level of skills the young players have been displaying at previous Junior State Cups, by bringing the best of the best together like this we are looking forward to what will be a spirited weekend of competition…. and lots of fun,” added Russell.
Wollongong Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM, said touch football was part of the city’s DNA. “Given our proud footy heritage and the fact we hosted the Junior State Cup for more than a decade, it’s tremendous to see we’re utilising a facility such as Dalton Park for such a significant event. It’s a real family event with a wonderful atmosphere, so we’re delighted to once again welcome our touch football friends from all around the State.”.
“We’re very excited to be given the opportunity to host this event which will showcase the best junior touch football talent in the state. It’s great for the Association and the region of Wollongong” stated Wollongong Devils President Steve Sopher.
The awarding of the tender is for three years commencing in 2019 and moving through to 2021. The first event will be played on the weekend of April 27/28, 2019. The Junior State Cup State Finals will see will all the best players from right across the state qualifying via the North or South Conference. They will compete for the title and prestige to become State Champions in 10 divisions.
This is an exciting step forward and new era for our sport. It poses the potential to open up pathways and engagement that have been paused due to the tyranny of distance of the singular event in the past. This will be especially so for those affiliates and participants for the south and south-west areas of NSW.
For more information on this announcement please view the 2019-2021 Junior State Cup State Final Media Release
For Accommodation assistance please contact the very good people at Visit Wollongong. Call 4267 5910 or visit their website: Visit Wollongong
