A bit of the Touch news from around Australia...

* The NSW State Cup is done and won. Congratulations to all winning sides, especially to Lismore being the first Country side to win a Mens Open NSW State Cup in the event's history! An effort not to be understated.

A big thanks to all of the NSW Touch staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the tournament was so well run. Congratulations again to all involved.

Also, a big hello to Andrea Schmidt...Andrea is heavily involved with Germany Touch and is at the moment holidaying in Australia for four months. She volunteered at the NSW State Cup and says she thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thank you for all your help Andrea and we hope to work with you and Germany Touch more in the future!

Finally, Duane and Glen from Sporting Images were again shooting away at the State Cup, all of the pictures are available for viewing on the website. Having already had a quick look myself, there is no shortage of brilliant shots, including winning grand finalists and diving touchdowns. www.sportingimages.com.au

* Australian Touch history if full of legends who have contributed to the sport in countless areas and ways. In the past few weeks ATA have been working to update and deepen the information we have on our Hall of Fame members and Life Members. If you have a look at the website, go to `The ATA' link on the left hand side and then `Hall of Fame' and `Life Members', you will see it is being updated as the information and pictures are completed.

The Hall of Fame section includes Adobe files that can be viewed with a picture of each member as well as their history with Australian Touch. With legends such as Peter Bell, Craig Pierce, Mark Boland and Katrina Toohey, just to name a few, it is certainly worth a read!

* Good news from Queensland...future opponents of the Gold Coast Sharks Mixed sides look out, it seems that the Gold Coast players are getting ready for the future...Friday night Sharon and Craig Searston (both previously Queensland Touch representatives) had a little baby girl called Lily Rose. Just a few hours earlier former team mate Brad Charlton and wife Naomi welcomed a little boy, Jai Bradley into the world. Mark Hartley and his wife Zara (nee Houston), who both also played in the Sharks Mixed Open team with Sharon and Brad in 2001 that secured SQBD's first NTL Title in any Open division, are expecting to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet very soon. Watch out NTL franchises around Australia, the future of the Sharks is looking strong!

* Happy Birthday to ATA's Maree Curran for next Monday December 13! Maree has been working incredibly hard of late, not only caring for a young daughter but managing most of the Youth World Cup and National Training Squad work.

She is also kicking into gear all of the NTL's preparation for referees and selectors. If you feel like wishing Maree a happy birthday that would be nice I'm sure but if you're a referee or selector I would guess that her ideal birthday present would be enough nominations for the event and all forms returned on time!

* Speaking of referees and selectors for the NTL, there's a story on the homepage with all the relevant paperwork regarding nominations. If you're interested please check out NTL REFEREES AND SELECTORS NOMINATION FORMS

For selectors a massive 23 are needed to do selections for the All-Nations Cup being held in New Zealand next October. For referees the numbers are again needing to be between 90-110. After struggling for an adequate number of referees at the National 18's Championships last September, ATA is keen to get this moving straight away. Please remember all referees nominations must be endorsed by the relevant State Office. For any information contact Maree on techsupport@austouch.com.au

* As Christmas gets closer the ATA wants to support one of the many groups working for those who do not enjoy the Christmas luxuries we often take for granted. ATA will be collecting presents for children aged 12 years and under and then donating them to the Salvation Army's Christmas appeal. Presents can be sent to the office at PO Box 9078, Deakin, 2600 or delivered to 18 Napier Close, Deakin, 2600.

Simply label the present for either a boy or girl and what age is appropriate. They will be stored under the office Christmas tree until collection in the week December 12-17. Please consider this as a way to support both those who may not be as fortunate this Christmas and an organisation working to help them enjoy Christmas 2004.

* Event Update: Christmas is just under 3 weeks away! Youth World Cup is just 6 weeks away! NTL's are just 3 months away!

* In the coming weeks photos of the National Training Squad members will also be loaded onto the website alongside each player profile. These will be able to be viewed by entering the player profiles. Simply use the link `Team Profiles' on the ATA homepage and then go to Mens/Womens/Mixed and have a look.

* Remember, all story ideas, news tips or requests for help in the media department, can be sent to Rachel Moyle at media@austouch.com.au