Footballers battle for Queensland selection

National Touch Rugby Australia selectors weren’t let off easy when players took to the field during the Queensland selection trials.

About 350 footballers from across the south east met in Warwick, vying for a position in the teams set to play New South Wales in Coffs Harbour in a State of Origin match later this year.

NTRA Queensland director Tanya Wright wasn’t surprised by the competitive manner in which the games were played.

“Most of the games were hard fought, competitive and quick – they were all done in the spirit of the game,” Wright said.

“In a lot of the games, there was no surprises – no blown out of the water score lines.

“One of the men’s games had a 13 – 0 score line.”

With four Warwick teams competing in the carnival, Wright was pleased to see all teams perform well throughout the day.

“We had three of the four teams compete in the semi-finals this year which is the first time it’s happened,” she said.

“We have a talented pool of players here in Warwick, and it was very nice for visitors to come and see that we could hold our own.

“I’m confident that there will be Warwick representation in Coffs in June.”

While players are yet to be notified of their selection, Wright is hopeful the carnival will return to Warwick in the future.

“It was actually a really successful day – we’ve had nothing but positive feedback,” she said.

“Based on the performance of the carnival and the positive feedback, it lends itself to host another carnival here in Warwick.

“There were winners in the different divisions, but the overall winner really was Warwick Touch Football Association and NTRA.”

Warwick Daily News