RECORD NOMINATIONS TIPPED FOR 2007 CANBERRA CUP
The Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) Touch Football community is gearing up once again for the third annual Canberra Cup to be held from 2– 4 November 2007 at the Deakin Fields in Canberra.
The popular tournament features the best players from the ACT, as well as elite players from interstate.
The Cup is Touch Football’s biggest mass-participation event in the ACT, largely because of the introduction of a social division last year and there is prize money on offer for the winning teams.
All TFA-affiliated players and teams are welcome at the Canberra Cup and team nominations are now open for either competitive or social teams in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed divisions.
This will be the first time that a social Women’s Division will be available, so females of all abilities are encouraged to get involved.
The new category will ensure a record numbers of teams take their place on the half way line to do battle in November in a tournament that continues to grow in stature and popularity amongst the Touch Football community.
The draw has been structured to allow players to play in both the Mixed and the Men’s or Women’s competitions.
Social and elite competitions will be run parallel at the tournament, allowing casual players to witness serious competition and learn while still taking part in the event.
In excess of 40 teams are expected this year across the six divisions.
The Australian Capital Terrotory (ACT) Touch Association is hoping that some Sydney teams will travel down for the tournament.
The Canberra Cup would be a great hit out for teams in preparation for the NSW State Cup in Port Macquarie from 7 – 9 December this year.
Victoria has contributed teams to the tournament in the past.
This year some of South Australia’s best players will be making the trip east to for the event.
South Australia will enter Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams from their High Performance Squads in the competitive divisions.
Amelia Kent is a Crusader and state-level veteran for South Australia.
Kent is part of the leadership group in the Women’s Open team and will bring maturity and experience to the exciting Touch Football South Australia combination.
“We are expecting to be quite competitive in our division. We’ve got a young and exciting group of girls coming through. A lot of those girls played NTL this year so we’re hoping for some good results,” Kent said.
The South Australian teams are yet to finalise team goals, but you can be sure they will be aiming to be there at the business end of the competition.
Kent believes that there are many advantages for interstate teams getting involved in the Canberra Cup.
“Just being exposed to other high-level teams that we wouldn’t have in our own state will be good. We’re also using it as a selection tournament for Crusaders NTL for 2008 so hopefully that will bring the best out in players playing at a more competitive level,” Kent said.
The 2006 Canberra Cup was dominated by the Canberra City Touch Association.
Canberra City won all three of the competitive divisions.
The affiliate played some spectacular Touch with a bit of help from current NRL stars Jamie Soward, Bronx Goodwin, Nick Kouparitsas, Joe Williams and Michael Dobson, who all have Touch Football pedigree.
The NRL players are able to take part because of an open invitation that is extended to non-ACT players to play with ACT clubs.
This gives Canberra players the opportunity to play with elite Touch Footballers from around the nation that they would not normally get the chance to play alongside.
This year Canberra City is expecting another host of stars including Queensland State of Origin Rugby League enforcer Neville Costigan, St George Illawarra’s Jamie Soward, the Raiders playmaker Todd Carney, and more to be confirmed.
Canberra City club president Danny Goodwin said he was expecting a very tight competition, especially amongst the women.
Goodwin said the open invitation to all players was the best thing about the Canberra Cup.
“Everybody brings in a few imports because there are no rules on it. Last year I think Uni had a few imports from Queensland and I think the Eagles had a few from the Suns so it makes it a very good competition. The year before I think the Eagles brought down Dylan Hennessy and the Kennedy boys so you never know who they are going to bring down. Being able to bring in Australian players or Queensland and New South Wales players to play in your club just gives you a much higher standard of Touch,” he said.
The nomination fee is $350 per team including GST.
If you want to be involved in an exciting competition against high-level opposition with a shot at prize money you better get in quick!
Enquiries to the ACT Touch Association on (02)6212 2880 or info@acttouch.com.au
