Junior State Cup has officially landed in Wagga, bringing thousands of players, referees, families and supporters to the region for one of the biggest events on the NSW Touch calendar.
Over the past few weeks, council ground staff and NSW Touch have been working side by side to ensure the fields and facilities are in top condition, ready to host an unforgettable weekend of junior sport.
The Mayor Dallas Tout has expressed genuine excitement about welcoming the touch football community back to Wagga, highlighting the strong partnership between council and NSW Touch.
“Events like this not only showcase elite junior talent but also provide a significant boost to local businesses and the wider community. Wagga is proud to once again be the home of Junior State Cup and looks forward to a fantastic few days of competition, connection and community spirit”
NSW Touch Football General Manager Dean Russell said he was extremely pleased with the condition of the fields following recent high temperatures across the region.
After taking the opportunity to inspect the grounds, Russell acknowledged the impact the earlier heatwave could have had but commended council and ground staff for their preparation.
“Given the high temperatures we experienced a few weeks ago, I was keen to see what impact that may have had. I’ve been really pleasantly surprised by the condition of the fields. Council and staff have done a fantastic job in preparing them for this weekend.”
Russell also highlighted the continued growth of the event, particularly across the southwest region, with strong increases in school team nominations compared to last year.
“We’ve seen fantastic growth, particularly with Affiliates entering multiple teams, which is great for the sport. As the Mayor mentioned, we’re bringing between 8,000 and 10,000 people into the region this weekend, which provides a significant economic boost. It’s exciting to see how this event continues to grow each year.”