Top touch juniors to town for State Cup

MORE than two hundred athletes will compete at Russell Square later in the month during the Touch Football Victoria Junior State Cup.

The affiliate comp on Sunday, 27 February will see performances from top young touch footballers, with the best players of each club teamed up in divisions.

To be hosted by Ballarat Touch Football Association, junior coordinator Lisa Williams said it’s the first time the tournament has been held in Ballarat, and it will bring hundreds of families to the city.

“We’re hoping to grow our sport and encourage people to come down and have a look. They’ll see juniors from under 12s, right up to under 18s, and they’re the best in Victoria,” she said.

“A few of our athletes are also Australian Rules players. Anyone who enjoys ball sports will enjoy the game, which is competitive.

“Some children will go onto play at the Nationals in Queensland. During the last Junior State Cup before COVID, we had four children chosen from Ballarat to represent Victoria up there, and that had never happened before.”

Junior touch footballers in Ballarat don’t have their own weekly competition, instead playing with the adults in mixed Wednesday evening games at Russell Square which attract about 250 players.

“Some Juniors play in teams with their family and friends, and some have teams of their own,” Ms Williams said.

A Melbourne Storm game is scheduled for Mars Stadium on the same day, and the team are expected to make an appearance at Russell Square. Visit facebook.com/TouchFootballVictoria for updates.