Goannas wrap up junior representative touch season

The Gunnedah Goannas fielded three teams at this year’s NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup in Dubbo, on February 20 and 21.

It was the final carnival for the 2025-26 junior representative touch football season.

Gunnedah’s U18 boys and girls teams were coming off a successful time in the Northern Eagles Junior Championships at Coffs Harbour where the boys were champions and the girls were runners-up, but these teams were unable to reach the Junior State Cup finals series.

The U10 boys division contained four pools of six, with Gunnedah in Pool C while Tamworth had a team in Pool B.

The Goannas U10 boys encountered some tough opposition on day one, with a 5-1 loss to Doyalson followed by a 13-0 loss to Wallsend and a 7-2 loss to Ryde Eastwood.

The Gunnedah outfit performed much better the following day, with a 4-3 win against Beresfield followed by a 3-2 defeat against Nelson Bay.

Gunnedah’s U18 boys were in Pool B as there were two pools of six and a pool of five, with this Goannas team also encountering some strong teams.

Gunnedah’s U18 boys were competitive in any case as they lost 5-3 to Ballina and 5-4 to Hornsby on day one, before going down 8-3, 6-3 and 2-1 to Maitland, Port Macquarie and Dubbo respectively on day two.

There was some local rivalry in the U18 girls division, as there were three pools of six while Gunnedah and Tamworth were in Pool A.

Gunnedah’s U18 girls lost 1-0 to Dubbo and 3-0 to Manly, before finishing day one in style with a 4-0 beating of Tamworth.

Maitland defeated the Goannas 7-3 on the Saturday, before the latter finished its championship with a 1-all draw against Ryde Eastwood.

Goannas committee member Will Dowe said, “We continue to grow and improve our scores at these statewide tournaments.

“Our players always enjoy the team spirit and camaraderie of these events.

“Our players show persistence and grit on the field, and are always happy to back up their team-mates especially when the going gets tough.

“We would like to especially acknowledge our local referees that are absolutely vital in order to send teams to these tournaments.

“Clubs can only send as many teams as they have referees willing to work at these carnivals.

“Thankfully we have dedicated and willing referees that attended both Dubbo and a fortnight ago in Coffs Harbour.

“These include Tim Richter (referee coordinator), Bruce Falloon, Emma Costello, Will Smit, Leah Schofield, Daryl Jones, Jamie Hinton, Chris Barnes (junior referee coordinator) and Rowie Costello.”

The Goannas subsequently held their junior representative season presentation night at the Railway Hotel last Friday.

About 180 players, family members and coaching staff packed the beer garden area to celebrate the junior players and their efforts.

Special recognition was given to the club’s referees who made it possible for teams to participate at tournaments.

Coaches handed out coach awards and players’ player awards from the season’s tournaments.

AWARDS:

Northern Eagles Junior Championships players’ player: Jake Gurney and Hudson Molenkamp (U10 boys), Angus Harris (U12 boys), Millie Lyle (U12 girls), Charlie Ellison (U14 boys), Brooklyn Douglas (U14 girls), Reuben Crawford (U16 boys), Harry Ryman (U18 boys), Lara Torrens (U18 girls).

Junior State Cup players’ player: Dustin Bourke (U10 boys), Kohban Nean (U18 boys), Audrey Hannaford (U18 girls).

Coach’s award: Daniel Walsh-Cloake (U10 boys), CJ Northey (U12 boys), Lexi Bullen (U12 girls), Tom Smallwood (U14 boys), Evanna Louis (U14 girls), Zac Hancock (U16 boys), Nash Carlyon (U18 boys), Jazmin Hobden (U18 girls).

Quiet achiever award: Ryley Bourke and Max Northey (U14 boys).