by Bill Johnston
Kingaroy Touch Association
A touch football team from Kingaroy State High School proved they could match it with the best at the recent Queensland Allschools carnival in Brisbane.
About 350 other teams were taking part in the event.
Club members Adam Geiger, Aiden Dillon, Belinda Johnston, Emma Goodhew, Hayley Hunter, Jackie Krosch, Mitchell Crossley, Peter Hourn, Sam Johnston, Sinead Horne, Taylah Curley, Taylor Crossley, [and past member Nathan Bowering] along with coach Sally Gardiner went to Brisbane to take on the best school teams from around the state.
Their coach Sally Gardiner said the team was made up of players from 14 to 17 years of age, with only half the team being in Year 12, however they were playing in the U18 or open division where they were up against larger specialist school teams all aged 17.
Their results speak for themselves as the team won 4, lost 1 and drew 1 game.
Unfortunately this was not enough to make the semi-finals in a very tough competition.
In a frustrating game, they lost to a weaker Brisbane side in a match where the result did not seem to be in their control. This left them needing to win their last two games to make the semi-finals.
They came so close to this, however a draw against the top side in the pool – a game where they appeared to be the dominant side – left them just outside the top two.
The team they drew with went on to finish in the top four out of the 56 teams in their division.
Sally said that with such a range in ages and experience they should be very proud of their performance in what at times were very trying conditions.
She congratulated them on their dedication as they had been playing as Gumps in the Kingaroy competition and training twice a week at school before the carnival.
Sally said the Coach’s awards went to:
1. Sinead Horne, for her constant talk and support to the team and her positional play during the games along with her enthusiasm and commitment at all times. [Nice grass burns]
2. Adam Geiger, for stepping up, as a younger team member, and doing a lot of the hard work in the links. He worked tirelessly getting the team going forward and by the end of the carnival his game play had improved drastically.
The team’s Players Player Awards went to:
1. Belinda Johnston who played the carnival in the link position. A very difficult position for girls in a mixed team. She held her own up against the boys and provided faultless defence and creativity in attack.
2. Sam Johnston who lead from the front as co-captain. His flare in attack was fantastic to watch and his work in defence was outstanding. Sam was definitely one of the top players and someone to watch throughout the carnival in our division.
Sally said the team sent a big thank you to Sitha Mead who refereed at the championships, covering more than 40 games.
The club congratulates all members involved in this performance!
* * *
Kingaroy ref Pat Williams has been recognised for his dedication above and beyond and for his advice and support for other affiliates and referees of any level.
The prestigious Queensland Affiliate Referee of the Year trophy was awarded to Pat in front of representatives from around the State at the recent state Touch conference in Brisbane.
The trophy was presented at the Queensland Touch Football Maroons Dinner on October 26.
Well done, Pat!
