Countdown to Junior State Cup touch carnival

The second edition of NSW Touch Association's Junior State Cup Southern Conference comes to Wagga Wagga this weekend with a jump in teams from last year’s inaugural event.

The changed format of having a Southern and Northern conference has seen record numbers enter the Junior State Cup with more than 450 teams across the State participating in the 2020 event. There will be 218 of those teams in Wagga Wagga this weekend.

"We are really excited that the new format has been successful and provided substantial growth with the event right across NSW," NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell said.

"This year’s team numbers have exceeded our 2019 event as we have 218 teams attending the Wagga carnival. That’s a jump of 20 teams from year one. With the participants, officials, referees and families in support; it is anticipated some 8000 to 10000 people will make their way to the region."

Mr Russell said the growth of the sport has seen the conference concept successfully evolve.

"It provides the justification to split the event and make sure we are providing pathway opportunities for those in the South and South West of the state," he said.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said Wagga was ready for the second year of this major event.

“It attracts many thousands of visitors to our city and that is fantastic for local businesses,” Cr Conkey said.

“Wagga continues to attract major sporting events and this carnival ranks highly as one of the most popular. Our strong relationship with NSW Touch Association will continue to grow as we will host this carnival again next year, and then pursue an opportunity to secure the event beyond 2021.

“We want this annual carnival to form part of Wagga’s sporting landscape for many years to come.

“I wish all participants, officials and spectators the very best for another successful carnival.”

The 2020 version of the Junior State Cup will see the 218 teams representing 26 affiliates. It will require close to 850 games to be run and won over three days. A contingent of nearly 200 referees will officiate.

Wagga Wagga Touch Association will again lead the way with strong teams across all divisions.

Wollongong will be looking to increase its resurgence which began last, while Sydney teams from Eastern Suburbs, Western Suburbs, Penrith, Parramatta and Hills will all be hard to beat.

Games start at 9am Friday and progress through to finals on Sunday which will start from 2pm. The prestigious Girls 18's and Boys 18's will be played at 3pm and 3.30pm respectively.

The top four teams from each division in each conference will participate in the State Finals on Saturday, 7 March in Penrith.