KIRWIN CLAIM NORTH QUEENSLAND ALL SCHOOLS TITLE
Kirwan State High School (KSHS) dominated the North Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships held last weekend, 24-25 August 2007 at Queens Park in Townsville.
Kirwin, a renowned Touch Football nursery in Queensland, contested all four divisional finals in Open Boys and Girls, and 15 Years Boys and Girls of the showcase schools event in North Queensland.
Kirwin claimed the 15 Years Girls and Boys crowns, whilst fellow North Queensland powerhouse William Ross State High School (WRSHS) annexed the Open Boys and Girls titles.
Queensland Game Development Officer, Glen Richardson was full of praise for the standard of competition in the popular tournament.
“The quality of touch football being produced by these young people is fantastic, with reigning Queensland Champions Kirwan in the under 15 Girls leading the way. The event unites the serious touch player and the casual participant in a fun tournament that appeals to everyone,” Richardson said.
Josh Hall, a student from William Ross State High School, who represented Australia at the World Youth Games where he collected a bronze medal in the high jump, epitomized the All Schools spirit of having fun and giving it a go.
“To see Josh running around at a Touch Football event is what the All Schools are about, it’s a lot of fun and it’s great to see so many new players embrace the game”, Richardson said.
In the 15 Years Girls final, last year’s State Champions Kirwan cleaned up with a 10 – 1 victory over William Ross State High School.
Chrystal Browne, a current North Queensland Cyclones Women’s Open representative, was named Player of the Final after an outstanding solo performance for the crack Kirwin combination.
The 15 Years Boys Division was hotly contested with Kirwan claiming the 15 Years double with a 4-2 triumph over Abergowrie.
This game was played at a frantic pace with defence the key for Kirwan who eventually prevailed in a tough tussle.
Player of the final was Jason Norford from Kirwan High.
William Ross State High School curtailed the Kirwan dominance of the tournament by claiming a thrilling victory in the Open Boys final 3-2.
The highly entertaining game went down to a drop-off with the WRSHS Rhinos claiming victory with a touchdown out wide.
Player of the final was WRSH School’s Queensland 18 Years Boys Representative, Chris Taiters.
WRSHS also took out the honours in a high scoring Girls Open decider, overcoming traditional rivals Kirwan 7 - 5. Player of the final was WRSH School’s lynchpin, Sheree O’Grady.
Some of these teams will now set their sights on travelling to the prestigious Queensland Secondary Schools Touch (QSST) All Schools Championships to be held at Whites Hill in Brisbane from October 12 – 14 2007.
