Australian Mixed Open Captain Tony Eltakchi announced his retirement from the Australian Mixed Open team at the Australian Awards Presentation following the January 2010 Trans Tasman Series in New Zealand.

Eltakchi said: “..If you get a chance to write a story and write a fairytale ending, and it gets to happen that way, then I am a strong believer that, that’s the way it should be. And for me that is it happened.”

Tony has represented Australia in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups in the Men’s 30’s and Mixed Open division, as well as playing in the Mixed Open in the 2002, 2009 and 2010 Trans Tasman Series.

“To be part of the team that came back in the final, and to be part of the winning try, it doesn’t get any better, and as much as I like my mixed, I am a realist and as age gets on and you start to get a little bit slow. So its time for me to move on and time for the young guys to come through, and we have a strong backing in Bernie (Morrison) in the mixed, we have got an awesome family and that is what it is, we’ve got people that love each other and will do whatever it takes to win for Australia.”

Touch Football Australia would like to thank Tony for his involvement in the Australian teams over the past number of years and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.

For the video of Tony's retirement, please click the following link: http://www.austouch.com.au/index.php?id=865