Junior touch cup carnival back for 2025

Published: 13 Feb 2025 2:06pm

Wagga Wagga City Council and the NSW Touch Association (NSWTA) are hosting the Junior State Cup Southern Conference carnival at the Jubilee Park precinct this weekend, 14-16 February.

This is the seventh consecutive year the carnival has been held in the city.

NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell said he is thrilled the Wagga Wagga community is hosting the event once again.

“We have 180 teams making their way here to battle it out for the honour of being the Southern Champions,” Mr Russell said.

“Jubilee Oval provides an excellent venue for this prestigious event.”

Mr Russell said after an extensive tender process in 2023, NSWTA named Wagga Wagga as the winner to host the 2024, 2025 and 2026 carnivals.

“The quality of the venue, its centralised location with ease of travel, and the strengthening relationship with Council worked in the region’s favour in attracting this event.”

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said the city looked 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,” Cr Tout said.

“Our staff have been working alongside NSW Touch to prepare the precinct for the carnival, highlighting the strong 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 also spoke about the logistics required in organising the carnival and the importance of the Council’s support.

“When you consider the event’s bringing 10,000 participants, officials, and parents from 27 affiliates to the region, you’ll understand we can’t run something this large and complicated without the support of Council and businesses within the community,” Mr Russell said.

“There will be nearly 700 games with 3200 players and referees involved over the three days of competition.”

Games start at 8am on Friday and progress through to the finals at 12 noon on Sunday, with the prestigious Girls 18s and Boys 18s to be played at 1:30pm and 1pm respectively.