Touch teams give their all at Junior State Cup

The Gunnedah Goannas fielded six touch football teams in the NSW Junior State Cup (JSC), played at Dubbo from last Friday to Sunday.

The Goannas U10, U12, U14 and U16 boys and U14 and U16 girls gained valuable experience, even if there weren’t many victories.

Other teams included Barraba, Berkeley Vale, Carlingford, Central Coast, Dubbo, Hornsby, Macksville, Maitland, Manly, Mudgee, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Norths, Northern Beaches, Parkes, Peninsula, Ryde, Singleton, and Wallsend.

Many of the Gunnedah players had previously taken part in the JSC, with the Goannas having fielded five teams last year and six the year before.

With Gunnedah not having U10 or U12 girls teams this time, Sapphire Walsh lined up for the Barraba U10s while Amelia Scott played for the Tamworth U12s.

As conditions were hot, water sprays and an inflatable water slide helped people cool down.

Although Gunnedah’s U16 boys didn’t win a game, Goannas committeeperson and coach of the U10 boys, Will Dowe, rated them the most improved of the Goannas teams.

“They played some high-quality touch against tough clubs,” he said.

“They scored two tries every game and kept the opposition to low scores in most games.

“Our younger teams were outclassed by clubs that play a higher quality of touch and have many, many more players to select their teams from.

“One constant attribute observed in our players throughout the weekend is their ability to stick to the grind and stay competitive.”

Dowe said the Goannas didn’t allow defeats to get the better of them, as the players were taught to focus on how to improve their game.

“Our players also exhibit solid team spirit and respect for our opponents and referees,” he said.

Dowe said the main reward for the players was “slowly becoming more competitive in these larger tournaments”.

“Our players get exposed to the high intensity of rep touch and this comes home with them to our park-level competitions,” he said.

“Also seeing a group of kids from different schools and different friend groups get together and form a strong team bond is rewarding for players, coaching staff and families.

“Being able to gel and socialise with different groups of people in different settings is creating resilient and community-minded young adults.”

Dowe also credited Gunnedah’s referees, including Maddy Finlay and Chris Barnes after they attained Level 2.

“We want to be sending junior reps away for many years into the future, and to do this, we need to have a constant supply of qualified referees,” he said.

“Maddy and Chris will bring their experience from JSC back to our park-level competitions and then be able to help develop more accredited referees.

“Level 2 indicates that both are now accredited to officiate at state-level carnivals.”

For the record, Gunnedah’s results were: U10 boys 1 win and 6 losses; U12 boys 1 win and 4 losses; U14 boys 1 draw and 4 losses; U14 girls 1 draw and 4 losses; U16 boys 5 losses; U16 girls 1 draw and 5 losses.