Junior State Cup Celebrates 30 Years as Thousands Descend on Redlands Coast
Queensland Touch Football’s flagship junior representative event is underway in Cleveland, with the 30th Anniversary Junior State Cup bringing together thousands of players, coaches, referees and supporters from all corners of Queensland.
The milestone event has continued its impressive growth, welcoming 271 teams from 28 affiliated associations, including a visiting team from New Zealand. With more than 4,400 participants involved across the three-day tournament, and the anticipated attendance expected to reach between 16,000 and 17,000 people each day.
Perfect winter conditions greeted competitors on day one as teams took to the field across 18 divisions ranging from Under 10s through to Under 18s.
Queensland Touch Football CEO Greg Denny said the event’s growth reflected the strength and development of the sport across the state.
“We’re really excited to be here at Redlands for our 30th edition of our Junior State Cup. The event started in 1996 and continues to grow year on year,” Denny said.
“There’s a thousand and fifty games to be played across three days and this is just a really good example of the growth and development of touch over the past 10 years.”
Denny said hosting an event of this scale provided significant benefits for both the sport and the local community.
“We’re pleased to be able to bring our tribe, our community, to Redlands Council and there’s 16,000 to 17,000 people that’ll gather each day. They bring a lot of economic investment into the cities and we’re really proud to do that, and that’s part of our great partnership with council.”
He also acknowledged the support of Redland City Council and local sporting organisations in delivering the event.
“These events can’t happen without the support of council, so to Councillor Colley and the entire council team that’s really supported us to get the event off the ground, we really appreciate it,” Denny said.
“The fields here look amazing, so obviously Redlands Touch Football, Redlands United Football and the local sporting community have been amazing supporters, so we do thank them for that.”
Beyond the competition, Denny said the Junior State Cup remained one of Queensland Touch Football’s most important development opportunities for young players.
“They can see what opportunities are available to them, whether it’s Touch Football State of Origin, the Australian Emus or opportunities on the NRL stage.”
The event’s division structure ensures opportunities exist for players of all experience levels, from those aspiring to representative honours to those developing their skills within the sport.
“We’ve got championship divisions, development divisions where our newer kids to our sport get the opportunity to learn their trade, and also challenge divisions in some of the older age groups.”
Denny also paid tribute to the volunteers whose efforts make events such as the Junior State Cup possible.
“The volunteers are crucial. Without the volunteers we can’t do anything that we do,” he said.
“Our coaches, managers, canteen staff and referee coaches all play a vital role. Without them the sport doesn’t exist.”
Former Junior State Cup participant and current representative player Evie Clarkson reflected on the lasting impact the event had on her own journey in the sport, saying some of her favourite memories were formed away from the scoreboard.
“My favourite memories are definitely more off the field than on the field,” Clarkson said.
“The relationships and friendships that I made with players and coaches have gone all the way through until now and I still have really good bonds with them.”
She encouraged this year’s participants to embrace the opportunity to test themselves against some of the state’s best young talent.
“You’re always wanting to play at big carnivals and this is definitely a really big carnival to see where you are as a player,” she said.
“At the end of the day it’s just about enjoying it and seeing where you are.”
With day one complete, teams will return to the fields tomorrow as the race towards the finals intensifies, while the next generation of Queensland touch football talent continues to shine on one of the sport’s biggest junior stages.
