Vawdon Cup Finals-Dedication, hard work and a chance for a title

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand- Vince Lombardi

The great Vince Lombardi was right, as this weekend will see the culmination of months of training and hours upon hours of intense dedication come to an end with the Vawdon Cup Preliminary Final and Grand Final series. With the excitement now subsiding for the many after last Fridays Preliminary finals success at Tempe and Bankstown, we now head into the unique situation of Preliminary Finals and Grand Finals on back to back days.

The Preliminary Finals will be fought out at the Vale of Ah Reserve Auld Avenue Milperra 2214  (Bankstown) on Friday 26^th October from 7.00pm and Grand Finals following on the very next day from 1.00pm at Chifley Sports Reserve, 801-899R Bunnerong Road, Chifley NSW 2036

The new schedule will certainly be a first for many in the Vawdon Cup and will absolutely test the Coaches and Players mindset. Look too far ahead, and you might not get to the Grand Finale the following day, be too cautious, and it won’t be enough to ensure victory and a chance at Grand Final success! A real challenge for many and one we anticipate that all will be accepting of.

As we cast an eye over the competition we can see in the Men’s Premier League, the Doyalson Dragons are coming fresh off their weekend success in Wollongong, tasting Country Championships success over a powerful Wollongong Devils and will be raring to go. They will face off against the energetic Bankstown Sports who will be standing in the way for a chance of Vawdon Cup back to back success. Coach Banks already knows that the fleet footed Dragons have their hands full after a gritty early round game was well contested before Doyalson skipped away for victory. Sports now being mentored by the very vocal Prasad brothers has seen them take the next step in their development and now on the doorstep of a maiden Vawdon Cup Grand Final-they will certainly be aided by the home comforts of Vale of Ah.

In the other Preliminary final, we will see the western Sydney derby between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels. With each team lead by outstanding leaders in Nicholas Good-Penrith and Daniel Barton-Parramatta, neither team will be willing to take a backwards step! Both teams are choc-a-block full of match winners and this game will see plenty of ball movement and athleticism on display.

The Women’s Premier League has a very similar look to years gone by with the four women’s powerhouses in Manly, Canterbury, Easts and Wests finding their way into the Preliminary Finals. The Sea Eagles have been dominant all year with the plethora of talent at their disposal claiming the minor premiership along the way and will fancy their chances against a youthful Magpies team led by the recent Smith Medallist Patricia Michaelopolous. In the other preliminary game we see two outstanding teams in the Canterbury Bulldogs and Easts Roosters. The Doggies will be looking to their veteran superstars in Louise Winchester and Claire Tandek to power them back to the summit of the ladies’ game and a chance for Canterbury’s 5^th Vawdon Cup crown. The Roosters will no doubt be looking to the recent NRL Touch Premiership and NSWTA Player of the Year recipient Ash Quinlan to wreak havoc on the Doggies defence and have a chance for their first title since 2013.

With several teams already through to this season’s big dance in a number of divisions there is sure to be plenty of eyes on their potential opponents. Perennial champions of the Mixed Division, the Easts Roosters will be keeping a watchful eye over the Canterbury Bulldogs and Wollongong Devils. The Roosters have been the dominant team in the Vawdon Cup and will be vying for their 9^th consecutive Vawdon Cup title.

Also, already through to the Grand Finals are Hills Hornets in the Inclusion Premier League, Manly Girl’s Youth League in Divisions 1 and 2, Appin Warriors in the Mixed Division 2, Balmain Tigers in the Men’s Division 3

The schedule for this season’s final series has been a testing one for both NSW Touch Football and the participants and we look forward to being blessed with sunshine throughout the week!

With the best of the best fighting out for Vawdon Cup glory NSW Touch Football wish all participants the very best and look forward to seeing a high-quality performances and large crowds support their Affiliate’s quest for success.

Preliminary Finals

The schedule for Friday 26^th October at Vale of Ah Reserve, Auld Avenue Milperra (Bankstown)

Grand Finals

The schedule for Saturday 27^th October at Chifley Sports Reserve, 801-899R Bunnerong Road, Chifley NSW 2036

If you have any questions in relation to the 2018 Vawdon Cup please contact our Event Team;

Sport Manager Daniel Rushworth via [email protected]

Events Coordinator Keith Lee via [email protected]

Events Officer Rebecca Dennis via [email protected]