The annual three-day carnival brings together more than 500 junior players and hundreds of volunteers from across the state in an outstanding showcase of touch football’s next generation of talent.
Six regional areas – North Queensland, Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, South West Queensland & South Queensland – will compete in a total of 36 teams in Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 divisions at Queens Park, Townsville.
Queensland Touch Football CEO Jamie O’Connor said the championships would place a strong emphasis on enjoyment, teamwork and development.
“This event provides us with an opportunity to not only identify our best young talent, but also reinforce the strong pathways that have been created to progress through to the elite level of touch football,” he said.
“Townsville has produced some of our top state and national players, and given the strength of the competitions - in particular junior competitions - in the region, it was the standout choice to host this year’s event.”
The championships, held on 25-27 August, will be run in partnership with Townsville Enterprise Limited.
“Townsville Enterprise is thrilled to assist in bringing the 2017 Junior State Touch Football Championships to Townsville through funding supplied by the Townsville North Queensland Bid Fund,” Tourism and Events Director Bridget Woods said.
“It’s anticipated that event participants attending this carnival will inject an estimated $500,000 into the Townsville North Queensland economy."
"Given the significant contribution that events provide the local economy and their ability to have direct and positive impacts on visitation, Townsville Enterprise considers events as one of the regions greatest tourism assets.”
NQTA Executive Officer Billy Grant said it was a terrific opportunity for the region.
“Players, officials and supporters will have an exciting weekend of touch in the north and it’ll certainly benefit the region’s growth of junior development,” he said.
“We are looking forward to hosting the rest of the regions and the best junior players in the state.”
Townsville junior and current Cowboys Elite Eights representative Andrew Searle began his rapid rise to the top level as a standout player at the championships, since going on to represent Queensland and Australia in the under 20s.
Each team is selected by their respective region from a combination of competitions and events throughout the year.
Picture: (from left) North Queensland Cowboys Holden Cup captain Mitchell Dunn, junior players Montaya Hudson, 11 and Matthew Hunter, 12, and Cowboys Elite 8 player Kelly Kennedy at the announcement.