By Anita Anderson
MORE than 90 up-and-coming male and female Noosa junior touch players converged on Hervey Bay for the Junior State Cup last week.
The annual tournament attracts more than 2000 players in 210 teams from around the state to compete across age divisions from Under 10 right through to under 18.
During the three days, despite enduring ever changing weather conditions – rain, sunshine and then dropping temperatures, the players showed skill, determination, outstanding sportsmanship and Noosa’s never-give-up attitude.
All of the Noosa teams performed admirably and produced some great results.
Standout performances were the U10 girls who narrowly missed a semi-final appearance after putting in an awesome team effort against Brisbane with only two touchdowns separating the teams at the final whistle.
The U18 boys went the whole way making it to the big one, defeating local rivals Gympie in the Grand Final. This game, with the score deadlocked at full time, was decided with an extra time drop off.
Just to add to the thrilling ending, both teams managed to score within their opening sets before the Noosa boys were triumphant scoring a run away touchdown to take the trophy.
A huge thankyou to all of the Noosa players, referees, tour manager extraordinaire Mandy, coaches, managers and parents who make up the Noosa Touch family. The continued support and help is appreciated and enables the pure enjoyment which was evident by the smiling faces during the entire carnival.
The club would like to make mention of the Eumundi Youth Sporting Club and Joe’s Waterhole for their continued financial support. The club also needs to acknowledge the Hervey Bay RSL which came to their aid by supplying replacement tents for the carnival after a mishap involving a freak wind and our team tents. This was a very generous gesture on such short notice.
Please check our website and Facebook page for our sign on dates for our new season.
