Two men and a woman standing next to a large sporting trophy, with a NSW Touch Association sign in the background.
KEEP IN TOUCH:  Wagga Touch Association President Marc Lawrence, NSW Touch Association General Manager Dean Russell and Wagga Wagga’s Deputy Mayor Cr Amelia Parkins at Jubilee Park this week before the start of the Junior State Cup carnival in the city this weekend.
Events & Tourism

Junior State Touch Cup carnival ready to kick off in Wagga Wagga

Published: 15 Feb 2024 12:47pm

Wagga Wagga City Council and the NSW Touch Association (NSWTA) will once again host the Junior State Cup Southern Conference carnival at the Jubilee Park precinct this weekend (16-18 February).

It is the sixth consecutive year the Junior State Cup Southern Conference will be held in the city.

NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell is excited to be bringing the event back to Wagga Wagga.

“We once again find ourselves being hosted by the Wagga community and we cannot be more excited by the prospect,” Mr Russell said. “We have 197 teams making their way to the region to battle it out for the honour of being the Southern Champions.

“With the new developments at Jubilee Oval, the facilities continue to provide an excellent venue for this prestigious event.

“It will also be the first event under new Broadcast partners, KAYO and Sky Sport, ensuring coverage for the event worldwide.”

Back view of four junior touch football players in action on the pitch.
CHASING GLORY: Players from Wagga Wagga’s own Vipers teams will once again put their skills and talent to the test on the field in various age groups during the three-day carnival.

When asked about possible heat issues Russell stated that “we have demonstrated in the past that our policies in placing the wellbeing of our participants first is always of our upmost concern.

“Should we get extreme heat issues we will, as we did last year, look to alter playing conditions to give greater rest and water intake opportunities and if needed, suspend play and come back in the evening.”

In June last year (2023), NSWTA named Wagga Wagga as the winner to host the 2024, 2025 and 2026 carnivals after an extensive tender process.

Russell believes that the quality of the venue, centralised location with ease of travel, and the strengthening relationship with Council are all elements that have worked in the region’s favour in attracting this event.

Woman and man standing on grass sporting field, passing a touch football to each other
TEAM EFFORT: Wagga Wagga’s Deputy Mayor Cr Amelia Parkins and NSW Touch Association General Manager Dean Russell the Jubilee Park precinct ahead of this weekend’s Junior State Cup Southern Conference carnival.

Deputy Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Amelia Parkins said the city is looking forward to welcoming all the players, families, supporters, organisers and volunteers back to the Jubilee Park precinct.

“The carnival has been successful for both the NSW Touch Association and our local community over the past five years, and we expect that positive trend to continue again this year,” Cr Parkins said.

“I think everyone, from players, families, and supporters to organisers and volunteers, will be impressed with the standard of the venue.

“Our staff have been working alongside NSW Touch to prepare the precinct for the carnival, highlighting the strong relationship we’ve forged over the past five years, a relationship we hope will continue to grow and prosper into the future.

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

Dean Russell has also spoken about the logistics required in pulling the event together which have been enormous, and he welcomed the continuing support of Council.

“We can’t run these size events without the tremendous support of Council and businesses within the community,” Mr Russell said.

“When you consider that we will bring 10,000 participants, officials, and parents from 27 affiliates to the region, it does take a village to accommodate staging the event.”

Large gold coloured trophy, with a touch football next to it,
SILVERWARE: Junior State Cup Southern Conference trophy

There will be around 670 games to be played by 3000 players and referees over the three days of competition.

Games start at 8am on Friday and progress through to the finals from 11.30am on Sunday, with the prestigious Girls 18s and Boys 18s to be played at 2:30pm and 3pm respectively.

TRAFFIC CHANGES

During the carnival, there will be changed traffic conditions including some road and lane closures around Jubilee Park, which will be under traffic management control. These include:

  • Red Hill Road will be closed to east-bound traffic between the Bourke Street and Glenfield Road roundabouts, with detours via Bruce Street.
  • Bourke Street between Bourkelands Drive and Red Hill Road roundabout will be closed to non-event traffic, with detours via Berembee Road, Bourkelands Drive and Holbrook Road.
  • Road closures will be in place from 6am to 7pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 6am to 5pm on Sunday. Detours will be signposted.