Keeping in touch

By PTE Shannon Joyce

CPL Jeff Endresz, from No. 44 Wing Detachment, RAAF Base Williamtown, goes for a quick play at the football.

Photo by PTE Shannon Joyce

TOUCH football players from Williamtown, Wagga, Nowra and Canberra converged on Duntroon this month for the regional interservice touch trials.

In a varying showcase of skills and butterfingers, combined services women’s and men’s teams switched, wrapped around, and quickly dumped their way through several matches of classy touch, in an attempt to woo selectors for positions in the Services ACT and NSW Country sides.

The games were played concurrently and referees were stretched, but managed to keep a high standard of game play throughout the day.

Tournament coordinator Sergeant Coralee Goedhart said the selectors were looking for players who were skilled and knowledgeable in the structure of the game, including ball handling, line defence, rucking, individual and team play abilities.

“Keeping development going is integral to improving touch standards, which comes with involvement,” SGT Goedhart said.

“It was good to see a lot of new players becoming involved, despite numbers being down on previous trials due to current operational commitments.

“ACT/NSW Country has been the overall winner of the ADF national championships the last two years in row, so we’re very optimistic heading into it.”

Players who are selected from these trials will go on to compete in the 13th ADF Touch Nationals held at RAAF Base Amberely from November 15-19.

The teams will be named after all absentee nominations are received.

 

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