The National 18 Years and Under Championships kicked off with a bang today, as the Opening Ceremony started the event in the right tone.

Thankfully the sun was shining and there was no breeze to speak of...and the fields I hear you asking? They looked absolutely brilliant. Often in September the field staff here in Coffs are frantically trying to recover from the finish of the soccer season, fixing the wear and tear on the stadiums surface. This year however, it's generally agreed they look the best they ever have in September.

The grandstand was filled to overflowing for the opening ceremony and all teams were decked out in their representative colours.

The captains of each side were announced, marching onto the field, looking fantastic in their team gear, with Colm Maguire (TFA Game Development Manager) and Coffs Harbour Mayor the Hon Keith Rhoades welcoming everyone to the event.

Keith Rhoades has always been a staunch supporter of Touch Football Australia and the events we hold in his city and once again spoke about his love of the sport, the events themselves and welcomed us to Coffs Harbour.

After Keith spoke, Peter Topp (TFA Member Services Manager) spoke briefly with Joe Williams and John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL players) about how they're here for the week, their knowledge or love for Touch and any advice they had for the players competing here.

The second part of the ceremony centred around the All Nations representatives as TFA wanted to wish the 10 Australian open and senior sides traveling to Christchurch all the best.

TFA Hall of Fame member Peter Bell then came to the microphone, as he had been asked to speak to these representatives. What followed was one of the most brilliant speeches many had ever heard.

We have decided to share his speech with you, as it will no doubt inspire all of the All Nations representatives who were unable to attend the event, as well as the Touch public in general...

Peter Bell: "The Hon. Mr Keith Rhoades, Joe Williams, John Sutton, our All Nation Representatives, ladies and gentlemen and players...

I have been asked to say a few words about what it means to represent your country. While it remains one of the proudest parts of my career as a Touch Coach, it also marks a time when one can share something special with a group of fellow Aussies.

I will always remember the first time I listened to the national anthem prior to a World Cup in Hawaii in 1995. It was an exhilarating experience, and no matter how much you watch others doing likewise on TV, nothing is quite the same as when you experience it yourself.

The green and gold colours of Australia, the Aussie flag fluttering in the breeze, and the nervous twitching of all your mates around you, is especially memorable.

To those players and officials who represent us in New Zealand in a few weeks time let me encourage you to take the time to absorb the opening ceremonies and pre match formalities, as these will have a place in your memories in years to come-just as any of the performances and results.

You should reflect on the fact that-to get where you are now, is a tremendous achievement. After all, you are the end result of a process of the weeding out of probably a hundred thousand or more Touch players, around the country, most of whom would love to be in your shoes, and indeed, will probably never enjoy such a dream.

To the many aspiring young players who will compete over the next few days, I would like to challenge you to chase your dreams and goals, and perhaps one day you too can be a part of the fine tradition of representing your country in your chosen sport. It won't be easy, but nonetheless, it will certainly be worth the struggle.

Just ask Shelley Matcham who sits here behind me. She will be representing Australian Women for the fourth time I believe. Shelley left Perth some years ago to follow her dream and she worked very hard to work her way through the many level of representative competition in Queensland. The hardest thing for Shelley was having to overcome the constant criticism and put downs by those who reckoned that the best Touch players only ever come from Queensland and NSW.

Shelley refused to believe that, and eventually, she achieved her ultimate goal, that of representing her country. She has now returned to WA to pass on much of her exceptional skills and experience to others, and she is a very good example of what you can achieve if you want something bad enough and decide to give it a real go.

To conclude, I would like to wish our All Nations representatives a very successful and enjoyable experience in New Zealand, and I know win or lose, I am confident you will all do yourselves proud.

To the 18's here this week, have a sensational championship, and perhaps use this experience as one small step toward a much larger goal-that of wearing the green and gold of Australia.

Thank you."

Peter Bell then presented Phil Gyemore and Shelley Matcham with the Australian flag and all 18's captains and guests at the event then signed the Australian Boxing Kanagaroo flag.

The boxing kangaroo flag will be down in the merchandise room during the event for all Touchies to sign and wish the All Nations representatives all the best.

It was a fantastic morning, the atmosphere in the stadium is already at a high, with music blaring and the Fishbowl in fine form.

Keep checking the TFA website www.austouch.com.au regularly for all the news and results and don't forget to watch out for the daily report `From the Fishbowl'.




By Rachel Moyle