Rockhampton to Host 2023 QLD Junior State Cup

Queensland Touch Football CEO Greg Denny announced today that the Queensland Touch Football’s 2023 Junior State Cup will be hosted at Cyril Connell Fields and Norbridge Park in Rockhampton, thanks to the support of Rockhampton Regional Council.

To be held 6-8 July 2023, the Queensland Touch Football (QTF) Junior State Cup is the premier junior affiliate competition in Queensland that brings together more than 3000 junior touch players from across Queensland to represent their affiliate in a fun, enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

Since its inception in 1996, the event has grown to over 230 junior affiliate teams in Queensland and growing. The new location will comfortably accommodate the Junior State Cup and provide further growth opportunities with more than 22 accessible fields, 12 of which are under lights.

“Rockhampton is a heartland for touch football, and we are excited to partner with the Rockhampton Regional Council to host our flagship junior event.  Said Greg Denny, QTF CEO.

“With its central location, we are hopeful many of our northern affiliates will be drawn to Rocky to attend the tournament, many for the first time, and provide growth opportunities for our event and draw more visitors to the region. 

“This event showcases some of the best young talent in touch football and we’re excited about what the region can offer our touch football community”. said Denny.

Cyril Connell Fields and Norbridge Park in Rockhampton has been confirmed as the 2023 Junior State Cup location and will be home to the flagship event biennially in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said that Council will work closely with QTF to ensure the city comes alive for the anticipated arrival of one of the biggest junior sporting events in the state and will continually invest in the venue over the next 10 years.

“Rockhampton is home to national, international and Olympic standard sporting facilities that nurture beginners through to professional athletes,” Mayor Williams said.

“We are proud to add the QTF Junior State Cup to our future major events calendar, events like these are not only good for our economy, but they also bring our city to life and evoke a sense of pride amongst our community.”

Advance Rockhampton’s Executive Manager Greg Bowden said that as the lead tourism, marketing and major event agency in the region, hosting a sporting event of this size presents a significant boost to Rockhampton’s visitor economy.

“With participants bringing their family and friends along to experience everything Rockhampton has to offer, filling hotel rooms, hospitality venues, retail outlets and tourism businesses, and yet again providing a major event that will give an economic boost not only to Rockhampton but neighbouring councils across Central Queensland as visitors choose to stay longer,” Mr Bowden said.

“Rockhampton Regional Council is continuing to put Rockhampton on the radar as a destination of choice amongst local, state and national sporting peak bodies, and we are excited to be partnering with QTF growing this event further over the next ten years.”

Across the action-packed 3-day tournament, over 230 teams from over 28 Affiliates will take to the field playing over 800 games across 22+ fields, attracting between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees per day, with the action kicking off from 7:30 am on Thursday 6 July 2023 at the new venue.

QTF would like to acknowledge Fraser Coast Regional Council and Hervey Bay Touch Association’s commitment and support of the event over the past 12 years. QTF will continue to deliver a top-quality junior touch football event that is fun, inclusive and accessible to the wider touch football community.