GISELLE MARTIN

After starting in the State Under 20’s she became an automatic selection in the NSW Women’s Open teams from 1992 to 1998, when her “actual” career cut short her Stella playing. She did tantalise us once more in her career when again donning the two blues in 2004 to cut a sway through the Queenslanders. On the field she has the ability to constantly memorize and freeze defenses with her pace and step. A fierce competitor and a tremendous defender with incredibly agility the envy of many male counterparts, she was the player you wanted with the ball when the touchdown was needed. With her exhilarating speed and exceptional touch brain she had and still has the ability to win the game in a blink of an eye. She represented NSW from 1990 to 1998 and again 2004 and has 28 international caps for Australia.

DEAN McMANUS

This player came onto the scene a little later in his life and during his career dominated all challenges amongst the senior ranks. He also debut for NSW in 1990 in the Men’s 30 division, where he made immediate impact as a player who could read the game like few before him. Throughout his career at the top level he demonstrated that while possessing skills that allowed him to play the game two touches in front of his opponents he was also the consummate team man, ensuring that the goals of the team were always placed ahead of his own personal goals. With great acceleration and a deft passing game he constantly threaten and defensive line. His ability to read play not only made him a danger in attack, coupled with his acceleration it made him into one of the games safest defenders. Ask any whom have been lucky enough to play also side him and they will tell you he is their first pick every time. Blessed with talent, he is also a humble man who is one of our games true gentleman. He represented NSW from 1990 to 2004 and has 36 international caps for Australia

JUDY MALCOLM

This player first played for NSW Women’s Open in 1987 before moving into, dominating and owning the Senior Women’s Division for the next 10 years. Described as a little dynamo on the field, this somewhat belied her ability to read the game, point her players in the right direction and orchestrate play like she was in front of a symphony. Blessed with pure vision to put players through holes no else could see and magic feet to step her way through the slightest of gaps she struck fear into any opposition that stood in front of her.  She represented NSW from 1987 to 1997 and has 14 international caps for Australia

GARY MOURNEHIS

This gentleman was first graded as a State referee in 1992 and continued till his retirement in 2007, some 15 years at the top. He attained the highest level possible in refereeing, that being a level six and maintained the mantle of the leading NSW referee for 4 consecutive years during his career. He refereed Men’s Open finals at all major NSWTA events and National Leagues as well being selected to attend and referee Men’s Open at 4 consecutive World Cups from 1995 to 2007. Possibly one of the most respected referees, not just by his peers, but indeed players and coaches alike, that NSWTA has ever produced and has been an inspiration to many referees still active today.

 

GABRIELLE ROSE

This lady captained her state and was destined for the highest honours from a very early age. She was an inspirational on field leader and a natural leader off the field through her actions, words and aura. This slated her by team mates and oppositions alike as one of the most respected players, of her era. As a player she was renowned as a strong powerful runner, one who had exceptional ball skills and a great long passing game, she had the uncanny ability to sniff out an intercept and run the length of the field. She is a noted big game player who deserves her place among the games best. She represented NSW from 1990 to 2002 and has 26 international caps for Australia

STEVE SAUNDERS

Our 17^th inductee could not be here with us this evening. Steve Saunders played for NSW from 1980- 1986. He was a player who had great vision and exceptional hands. He played the game with a natural flair for the extra ordinary. He had tremendous agility combined with good speed which always made him dangerous.

 

KAREN SMITH
This player was inducted into the Touch football Australia Hall of fame in 1988. Arguably the best female to play the game. With uncanny vision, brilliant hands and ball skills, this lady was also blessed with great speed of the mark. A natural leader, she had a football brain that allowed her to read the game in advance of others. She captained NSW and Australia on many occasions and her list of awards for Player's player, player of the final or player of the series is near endless. She represented NSW from 1980 to 1994 and has 27 international caps for Australia.

LISA NEAL
This player was into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 1990. Her Touch career started in 1977, as part of the first ladies competition in Port Hacking. She was one of the true geniuses to have played the game. Tough, uncompromising and strong are all words that come to mind in describing this player. However deft, skillful and deceptive would not be out of place. Her passing game, dummy, agility and ability to read a game often saw this player turn and win games on her own. She represented NSW from 1980 to 1991 and has 14 international caps for Australia.

RAY "BULLET" LAWRENCE
This gentleman was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 1990. He became involved in Touch Football at the age of 32, by playing a social game in Manly. He was then recruited into a local side, and a short time later represented The Manly District in the NSW Region Competition. In 1983 he was selected for NSW in the State Men's Senior Team, and then represented the State of NSW for 14 years in a row. His speed and skill continued to impressed selectors as he moved through the age categories and is still playing on the park today aged 61. He represented NSW from 1983 to 1997 and has 11 international caps for Australia.

RON WALL
This player was inducted into the Touch football Australia Hall of fame in 1993. Quick and with a big step he would terrorize his opposite number when running at them. Given half a gap he always managed to finish the movement over the scoreline. His ability to read the game and hit a hole was only matched by his tough big game competitor's spirit. He represented NSW from 1982 to 2004 and has 48 international caps for Australia.

MARK BOLAND
This player was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2003. In many ways he became the player who set the benchmark for the modern game. Always playing three touches ahead of anyone else on the field. His greatest assets is not just his pure passing, explosive pace or devastating defense but indeed his vision. He dictated play the away he wanted it, regardless of the opposition. He is the consummate and proven match winner. This player played in 17 straight State Cups with Parramatta in which he won 12 times.The only player to have received life membership of the NSWTA and to have his number retired by the NSWTA. He represented NSW from 1985 to 1999 only in Men's Open and has 37 international caps for Australia.

MICK McCALL
This gentleman was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2003. He became involved with Touch in the late 1970's and is an accomplished player from men's Open level right through to the senior ranks. His speed agility and ability to slide through gaps appearing not even to be there, were and are the hallmarks of his game. He has had success in the coaching ranks from club, Regional, State and National level. He represented NSW from 1980 through to today and has 36 international caps for Australia.

KATRINA TOOHEY
This player was inducted into the Touch football Australia Hall of fame in 2003. She started playing Touch at the age of ten in a local Cronulla competition and is the youngest female to be picked to play for the national women's open team at age 16. A constant performer, she was always going as hard at the end of the game as at the start. Her great skills, vision and inspirational leadership set her apart from the rest of the field. She was one of the most mentally toughest players to have ever played the game. She represented NSW from 1983 to 1996 and has 37 international caps for Australia.

DEAN RUSSELL
This player was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2007. A mixture of determination, grit and a touch of flamboyancy is the way many described this player. A great leader and fierce competitor who played as if every game was life and death for his team he was a stalwart of NSW's most successful state team. His passing game was both precise and on occasions totally unpredictable. Both in attack and defense he always controlled the game and was known for his constant talk, and on occasions as a pest to the opposition. He represented NSW from 1986 to 2002 and is NSW most capped international with has 66 appearances for Australia.

STACEY GREGORY
This player was inducted into the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2007. Without peer as a female mixed player, defensively a strong as her male counterparts. In attack stronger than her male counterparts. Possessed the complete game as a female mixed player with superior ball skills, agility, vision, ability to read the game and a never say die determination. She represented NSW from 1986 through to 1995 and has 47 international caps for Australia.

STEPHEN PIKE
This referee was inducted into the Touch football Australia Hall of fame in 2007. This referee set the benchmark for others to achieve at park, regional, state, national and international level. Widely acknowledged as one of the best the games has produced, his reading of play and rapport with players made his control of the game effortless and respected. He represented NSW at national championships, NTL and State of Origin and has officiating international fixtures across the world securing 49 International Caps, second only to Rick Borg.

OWEN LANE
He is the first of our inductees not yet in the Touch Football Australia Hall of Fame. An early pioneer of the game he did not have as many opportunities in the fledging sport that those who followed in his footsteps. He played in the very first NSW Men's open team in 1973. He also played against the touring great Britain rugby league lions in an exhibition match in 1976. The marquee player of the early years he had electrifying pace, great ball and passing skills and was the consummate leader. For the younger generation think of the prototype of a mark Boland. He played the game ahead of the pack with his vision and ability to read the game. He could take the game in any direction he wanted and was a proven match winner. He represented NSW from 1973 to 1984 and represented Australia against New Zealand in Melbourne in 1985.

PAULA VASSALLO
She first played for NSW Women's open at the age of 16. A tough competitor with amazing ball skills and deceptive pace. She always tested defenses with her passing game and probing attacks. Defensively many teams tried to attack her with little success due to her agility and doggedness of competitive spirit and ability to read the play. A player whom many males were jealous of with her all around game well suited to the sport at the very top level. She represented NSW from 1983 through to 2004 and has 20 international caps for Australia.

ANDY YIANGOU
He is one of the games true gentleman. He is one who is credited to taking the fitness of his players to new levels and rejuvenating a club through his on field leadership that still endures today. Another with a tough mental approach to the game, with absolute determination and a never say die attitude. Those who play with him, want to win for him. He possesses great vision and passing skills, yet it is his defense that often gets overlooked. You would be hard pressed to compile any statistics for defensive errors. Not flashy, yet a player many aspire to be like. He represented NSW from 1985 to 1997 and has 31 international caps for Australia.