NSW Touch Football is pleased to announce that Orange has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2019 and 2021 NSW Junior Regional championship.
Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said he’s delighted with the news Orange will host one of its largest ever sporting events in terms of the number of competitors.
“The NSW Junior Regional titles will bring around 900 participants and another 100 officials for the weekend of competition,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “Orange City Council has been in discussion with organisers for some time and I know they’ve been impressed by the Orange community’s experience with hosting events like this.”
“There’ll be a warm welcome from the people of Orange for this event.”
Orange City Council’s Sport & Recreation Committee chair, Cr Jason Hamling said the event will be a major boost to one of Orange’s most played sports.
“There are 120 junior touch teams playing in local competitions in Orange, and I know many of those youngsters will be on the sidelines watching some of the best teams in the state compete,” Cr Jason Hamling said. “To host this annual event for two years is going to have a long-lasting impact on the sport in Orange.”
The championships will be held on July 13-14, 2019 at the home of the City of Orange Touch Association, the Waratah Sports Club and at a similar time in 2021. The Orange Thunder is a progressive representative club, with fantastic participation and an elite junior academy. The Thunder players will now have the opportunity to play on their home turf, representing the Hunter Western Hornets.
Orange Thunder Representative Director, Joel Begnell is excited by the announcement.
“It’s exciting to have the highest level of junior touch competition being played in Orange,” Joel Begnell said. “This decision comes as a recognition that Orange Thunder is now in the top 10 clubs in junior touch in NSW. Touch is one of the biggest participant sports in Orange and we’re growing each year.”
The state Junior Regionals event is the pinnacle of the Junior Touch Football pathway within NSW and will see over 48 teams compete in 8 divisions to be crowned Junior Regional Champions. The very best 12s, 14s, 16s and 18-year-old boys and girls rep sides will be showcased over two days, vying not only for a win, but also possible state merit and NSWTA Development Team selection to compete in the National Youth Championships.
The significant restructure of the Junior State Cup into conference play and a state final to follow, has now prompted the switch of the event to July, after it was previously held during April.
NSWTA Sport Manager Daniel Rushworth estimates that with 1000 participants and officials, joined by significant family and friends travelling in support to the destination, the event will deliver an expected economic impact of $1.1 million into the Orange community.
“The significant economic impact into communities via our event is really pleasing” Daniel Rushworth said.
“It is certainly an exciting time for the Junior Representative pathway, with a fantastic facility in Orange, the change in date and probably the most exciting addition for our sport, being the inaugural inclusion of the 12s boys and girls. We have had fantastic development in the junior pathway for some time, and to now have these added opportunities for our younger athletes is phenomenal.”
Games will commence at 9.00am each morning and progress through to the finals on the Sunday afternoon which will begin from 2.30pm. The prestigious 18s girls and boys finals will be played at 4pm and 4.30pm respectively.
The full media release can be viewed via: Media Release – 2019 Junior Regionals Announcement
For more information on the event including accommodation and visitor information details please visit 2019 Junior Regionals Website or Orange Visitor Centre.
For further information please contact:
NSW Touch Football: Daniel Rushworth 0409 360 363 [email protected]
Orange City Council: Allan Reeder 0400 054 452 [email protected]
