Fifth-consecutive Australia Day tournament win for Gunnedah’s indigenous all stars women’s touch football team

Gunnedah’s indigenous all stars women’s touch football team has won its fifth-consecutive Australia Day tournament.

The women blitzed the ‘rest of the world’ side to win 7-3 in the traditional national holiday showdown.

Check out Gunnedah’s Australia Day 2024 gallery here: Gunnedah celebrates Australia Day 2024 | Gallery – Gunnedah Times

Event co-ordinator John Hickey said the side was almost unstoppable and has vowed to extend the ledger at the next Australia Day championships.

“They have won it five years in a row now,” Hickey said.

“The players made it clear they will be back to defend the title next year.”

In the men’s division, ‘the rest’ won a closer contest 4-2 against their indigenous counterparts. It was the same scoreline in the mixed event.

Hickey described the touch shootout as “the best in years” with great support shown by the Gunnedah community.

“It was really well received and supported … it made for a fantastic atmosphere,” he said.

Piper Rankmore and Nautica Eather won the women’s shootout after defeating sisters Khobi and Braie Devine. In the men’s final, Will Patterson and Lachie Straney took out top honours from Jim Muller and Geoff Smallwood.

Khobi and Lachie combined to win the mixed pairs final, edging out Eather and James Perrett.

In the Dash for Cash, Bella Hamilton won the girls sprint in 15.78 seconds and Josh Spinks the boys (15.59).

Yasmin Thomas was fastest (13.48 seconds) in the open women’s and Luke Jeffrey the men’s open race (12.19).