EMERGING BLUES

The Emerging Blues program, designed for players aged 15 to 18, aims to identify and nurture young talents across New South Wales. It serves as a platform for the state’s most promising athletes to refine their skills, gain invaluable experience, and compete at the highest level. With a strong focus on player development, this program promises to shape the future of Touch Football in the region.

The initiative of the High Performance Unit is headed up by Coaching Director Tony Trad and under the guidance of our State Of Origin Men’s and Women’s Opens Coaches, participants in the Emerging Blues program will embark on a comprehensive training journey. Hosted at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence participants will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, specialised training sessions, seminars on mindset resilience as well as hearing from some of the best Sports Science experts.

One of the key objectives of the Emerging Blues program is to identify potential representatives for the New South Wales State teams. Players who demonstrate exceptional skills and dedication will have the chance to progress through the pathway system, aiming for the ultimate honour of representing their state at the State of Origin.

The NSW Touch Football Emerging Blues program is founded on the principles of exclusivity and equal opportunity. It seeks to create an environment where young athletes can flourish and reach their full potential, regardless of their background or previous experience in the sport. The program embraces diversity and encourages participation from all regions of New South Wales, with the ultimate goal of building a stronger and more vibrant touch football community.

The launch of the NSW Touch Football Emerging Blues program heralds a new era for the sport, empowering young athletes to dream big and chase their ambitions. It represents the NSWTA’s commitment to nurturing talent, fostering excellence, and securing a bright future for Touch Football in the state.

With the NSW Touch Football Emerging Blues program, the future of touch football is in safe hands. Get ready to witness the rise of the next generation of stars as they take the field and leave their indelible mark on the sport we love.

The program is designed to have two training camps annually in the lead-up to the 2025 SOO series. Camps will include various aspects as outlined below.

  • Physiological preparations such as sports science-related education, including preparation and recovery techniques.
  • Psychological strategies include tools for possessing a growth mindset, performing under pressure, making decisions, building confidence, developing resilience, and leveraging emotional intelligence.
  • Providing Technical Skill Development through elite coaching and education.
  • Fitness benchmark testing to ensure minimum requirements are met, including ongoing assessment tracking.
  • Elite Training Camps are tailored to assist athletes in reaching their maximum potential whilst preparing for upcoming State of Origin events.

While the initial squad selections have been made via our talent Identification program by both the State Selectors Panel and HPU, players can be moved in and out of the squad on an ongoing basis. Our TID program continues at each NSWTA and TFA event.

Current Squad

Boys

Angus Gobran

Hills TA

Archie Rose

Taren Point/Cronulla TA

Bayley Tranter

Maitland TA

Cameron Cloey

Penrith TA

Charlie Walkaden

Central Coast TA

Ethan Semple

Wagga Wagga TA

Elijah Cooper

Taren Point/Cronulla TA

Harry Cash

Doyalson TA

Jack Dean

Orange TA

Jarred Haywood

Penrith TA

Jayden Douglas

Hills TA

John Paul Catalano

Wests TA

Joshua Curl

Hills TA

Kieran Diamond

Peninsula TA

Logan Toohey

Taren Point/Cronulla TA

Max Davies

Northern Beaches TA

Maxwell Marsters

Manly Warringah TA

Michael Joukadour

Wests TA

Oscar Gray

Parramatta TA

Reg Nichols

Maitland TA

Riley Burke

Central Coast TA

Riley Jones

Central Coast TA

Riley Pollard

Penrith TA

Ryan Charlwood

Hills TA

Taimana Elers

Newcastle TA

Tamoko Berryman-Duff

Northern Beaches TA

Tylan Black-Berryman

Northern Beaches TA

Vaviakila Rawali

Parramatta TA

Girls

Alice Mitchell

Newcastle TA

Alyssa Medved

Manly Warringah TA

Amelia Hollis

Hills TA

Anika McCarthy

Newcastle TA

Ava Forster

Central Coast TA

Ava Simpson

Newcastle TA

Cameron Khadi

Parramatta TA

Chloe Smith

Canberra

Claudia Wheatley

Wagga Wagga TA

Cleo Buttifant

Wagga Wagga TA

Coco Marsters

Manly Warringah TA

Ebony Gigliotti

Penrith TA

Elise Simpson

Canberra

Ellie Wilson

Northern Beaches TA

Grace French

Manly Warringah TA

Hope Gibson

Orange TA

Kate Goodhand

Central Coast TA

Kelsey Berryman

Northern Beaches TA

Lilly Clarke

Orange TA

Logan Lemusu

Hills TA

Mackenzie Davis

Hills TA

Morgan Mannion

Central Coast TA

Nina Van Der Reyden

Manly Warringah TA

Pyper Marchant

Hills TA

Sienna Thomas

Hills TA

Tynise Bowrey

Easts TA

Waiaria Ellis

Hills TA

Zali Chippendale

Wallsend TA

Zara Halliday

Manly Warringah TA