An ACT/NSW Country player heads for a gap in the South Queensland defensive line in the ADF Defcredit National Championships, held at Randwick Barracks, Sydney.

MORE than 300 people participated in a reinvigorated ADF Touch Association Defcredit National Championships at Randwick Barracks in December last year.

The participation level almost doubled from the 2000 national titles, previously held in Jindabyne, with event organiser Maj Michelle Breen helping co-ordinate 24 teams through three days of competition.

Maj Breen recorded a grand total of 320 participants, comprising 280 players, 19 referees and 17 non-playing coaches and administrators.

"We looked at what we could do to improve the tournament in order to increase participation and we've obviously had a major success in that regard in increasing tournament participation numbers from 160 to 320," she said.

"The event is still not as big as it was in its heyday but we've put in a great effort to increase participation at national tournament level over the last two years.

"The committee is working on increasing participation at all levels from nationals to local unit tournaments."

The 2001 tournament drew participants from as far afield as Darwin, with 16 'Territorians' spending more time on a bus travelling (three days each way) than actually playing.

Participants also came from South Australia, Victoria, North and South Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT.

Once on the field, teams divided into five divisions, with five teams in the open women's division, seven in the open men's, four men's over-30s, five men's over-35s and three teams rounding out the men's over-40s division.

Two invitational teams did more than make up the numbers, with the 176 AD Sqn placing third in the men's open division and 17 Const Sqn proving to be a force in the men's over-30s.

Results at a glance:

Men's open grand final: South Queensland 5 def ACT/NSW Country 3.

Women's open grand final: NSW 3 def Victoria 2.

Men's over-30s grand final: ACT/NSW Country 5 def South Queensland 3.

Men's over-35s grand final: South Queensland 7 def ACT/NSW Country 2.

Men's over-40s grand final: NSW 4 def South Queensland 3.

Men's best and fairest: Cpl Gavin McDonald (10/27RSAR).

Women's best and fairest: Capt Kimberlea Colbron (103 Sig Sqn).

By Michael Weaver