GALLERY: Queensland Touch Football’s next stars revealed, inspire calls for NRL return

The best young players in the state came together to put on a clinic, inspiring calls a return of the NRL touch football premiership. CHECK OUT THE ACTION PHOTOS HERE >>

Katie Geiger has called for the return the NRL Touch Football Premiership in a bid to enhance a pathway that helped superstars Kalyn Ponga, Taryn Aitken and Ryan Papenhuyzen ascend to rugby league’s upper echelon.

The Queensland Touch Football game development officer travelled to the Gold Coast along with some of the game’s brightest young talents for a youth Academy camp at the weekend.

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Boys and girls teams for the Titans, Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys competed in a series of games at Runaway Bay; the same process the likes of Indigenous All Star Seamus Edwards took which led to his starring role on Saturday against the Maori outfit.

Not since the dawning of the Covid-19 pandemic has the NRL Touch Football Premiership taken place, however Geiger believes the time had come for the spectacle to make a comeback.

She said the ramifications would not just ensure a pathway to the elite existed for touch football players, but would serve as skill development for the next generation of NRL stars.

“Hopefully the powers that be will get something happening soon because it’s needed,” Geiger said.

“It’s nice to have a clear pathway for kids to aspire to, so having that NRL Touch Premiership would be amazing and hopefully one day soon it can return.

“We had all the NRL based teams have a competition around the nation; back then we had the Cowboys, Titans and Broncos and they would travel with the NRL teams and play a game leading up to the NRL games.

“Hopefully one day the premiership will start back up and we’ll have the seniors and these juniors can keep filtering in; we didn’t want to let go of something so successful.

“Touch football is rugby league skill development … it’s definitely a good nursery for rugby league and future football sports.”

Among the up and coming prospects who took to the Gold Coast Sporting Complex turf was Natalia Hickling, who has already announced herself as a force to be reckoned with in the senior ranks.

The 15-year-old Titan has been called up to the Open Mixed division in the National Touch Football League; plying her trade against the best men and women in the country.

“She’s a leads by example type of a player, has a really calm head on her shoulders hence why she’s in the opens division,” Geiger said.

“She’s a mature head on and off the field, and just has that leadership and leads by example.

“To be so young at the best touch football event in the world, with Australia at the top of the pecking order in touch football … it’s a pretty big step to play against some pretty talented men especially in the mixed game.”

Natalia Hickling of the Titans Youth Academy 16 girls touch football squad. Picture: Queensland Touch Football Facebook.

TITANS UNDER 16 ACADEMY GIRLS

Ella Watkins, Makayla Isedale, Sommer Robinson, Waimarie Takarei, Reese Rigby, Natalia Hickling, Alex Halloran, Indianna Kelly, Molly Van Heerden, Holly Simmons, Millie Evens, Grace Johnston, Abbey Wardel, Laura Fry

COWBOYS UNDER 16 ACADEMY GIRLS

Brooke Johnston, Ellie Jenkins, Layla Enoch-Heard, Skye Barba, Tarlia Condon, Madeline Lew, Tahlia Hayes, Olivia Jenkins, Dominique Saunders, Manaia Faiumu Malone, Lainee Ingram, Sophia Neep, Matilda Geihe, Tamzyn Hogarth, Madeline Doring

Player to watch: Madeline Doring

A player with an innate ability to always want to learn. It is a trait which is expected to take Madeline Doring as far as she wants to go on the touch footy field. Already coming into the Academy program with a strong foundation in the sport, Doring has an understanding of when to strike that bellies her youthful years. Forever asking questions and always looking out for her teammates on and off the field, Doring comes with high hopes in the Cowboys ranks as a player who simply refuses to give up even when the going gets tough.

BRONCOS UNDER 16 ACADEMY GIRLS

Mia Hopkins, Ava McGowan, Millie Adams, Layla White, Stephanie Lawrance, Charlotte Goding, Mille Stanton, Natalea Elias, Caitlyn Teakle, Kaya Hilman, Kameryn Bray, Isabella Nasalio, Gabrielle Blade, Lily Neil

TITANS UNDER 14 ACADEMY GIRLS

Mikayla Robinson, Harper Eldridge, Isabella Narain, Kate Johnstone, Lacey McLaren, Maeya Collie, Mia Davy, Mackenzie Clarke, Maggie Walker, Carla Nobbs, Ebony Lewington, Tayla Kauter, Jessica Fraser, Ava Kowitz

COWBOYS UNDER 14 ACADEMY GIRLS

Azalia Smith, Summer-Rose Phair, Lily DeBrincat, Madison Mooney, Layney Jenkins, Erica Round, Caitlin Brennan, Sophie Barnes, Demi Sandilands, Josie Wogand, Adelaide Seierup, Ellie Goodwin, Hannah McCrohon, Layney Jenkins

Player to watch: Layney Jenkins

Blessed with a brilliant left to right pass that bamboozles her rival defences, Layney Jenkins is expected to be a focal point of the Queensland Schools attack. Jenkins comes with an uncanny ability to read the play perfectly, while her versatility enables her to fill any hole on the field with ease.

BRONCOS UNDER 14 ACADEMY GIRLS

Jesse Pauling, Baylee Fox, Sienna Hilton, Ellie Walker, Tiahna Boothby, Callie Trace, Indi Cumner, Rzaria Williams, Arahi Walker, Millicent Watson, Malia Ruri, Ella Denny, Taylor Martin-Habib, Charloote Keki

TITANS UNDER 16 ACADEMY BOYS

Azariah Toki-Mautairi, Campbell Rolfe, Hayden Watson, Keelan Needham-Brown, Lennix Teika, Tainyn Clarken, Kaea Murray, Tyler Madden, Bailey Deakin, Tom Fry, Jake Durie, Kyan Oats, Sam Sheppard, Kaden Willmot

COWBOYS UNDER 16 ACADEMY BOYS

Ellyjah Birve, Preston Cassidy, Lucas Lane, Yagan Jacob, Sean Weir, Luke Swain, D’Artanyan Connolloy, Clancy Hohn, Curtis Seierup, Carter Vincent, Cameron Wood, Bronson Carlos, Chase Everingham, Ben Butcher

Player to watch: Preston Cassidy

A young man who typifies how touch football can become a breeding ground for one’s rugby league skillset. Preston Cassidy has been deeply embedded in the Brisbane Broncos ranks since he was 13, having signed a development contract early on as he forges a path to the NRL. The Kirwan State High School product will link up with the Townsville Blackhawks Mal Meninga Cup side, and his instinctive ball playing ability at such fast paces could make him a true x-factor in either code.

Young league player Preston Cassidy. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

BRONCOS UNDER 16 ACADEMY BOYS

Tarai Cherry, Baxter Fielder, Issac Brand, Jared Jackson, Willem Poulus, Beau Matthews, Jesse Byrne, Javon Andrews, Brodie Campbell, Flynn Madders, Jacob Richter, Kayliss Brown, Vadim Gilbert-Marino, John Eacott

TITANS UNDER 14 ACADEMY BOYS

Devahn Tekii, Tyler Erickson, Darcy Halloran, Murphy Phillips, Kai Agyik, Quatez Topine, Jai Komene, Chevy Ryan, Lachlan Hillman, Xaiver Davey, Jackson Winnet, Hayden Delaney, Max Murphy, Theo Aston

Player to watch: Murphy Phillips

The praise out of the Titans Academy is that if Murphy Phillips sticks with the game he will “for sure” for a future Queensland player. Already the youngster has shown he has a very high touch football IQ, despite still being so young. Phillips has displayed strong fitness on the field and a brilliant motor, making the skill set he has shown under pressure all the more impressive.

COWBOYS UNDER 14 ACADEMY BOYS

Trent Martin, Riley Carbonne, Tamiana Fatiaki, Jaiden Ferns, Klay Graham, Carter Isaac, Archie Kehl, Oliver Spyve, Oliver Hinds, Kynan Rogers, Isaac Dahler, Luke Johns, Harrison Fuller, Matthew John Marjoram

Player to watch: Kynan Rogers

Equipped with fleet feet, burst of speed and one of the longest passes of his age group, this Central Queensland product is tipped for higher honours in 2023. Kynan Rogers finished second throughout the Academy weekend in the longest pass challenge, and frequently displays strong ball skills in general play that mesmerises his rival defences. According to the Cowboys Academy staff, Rogers will be in firm contention for the Queensland Schools team this year.

BRONCOS UNDER 14 ACADEMY BOYS

Rico Ngatai, Jai Hughes, Isaac Richter, Eli Brownrigg, Jontaye Brown, Oliver Peregrina, Hayden Madders, Lucas Curtis, Max Carriage, Angus Goves, Benjamin Chubb, Hayden Corbet, Lachlan Britten, Tully Bastable

Player to watch: Hayden Madders

The son of a Queensland Touch Football legend is bracing to follow in his father’s footsteps. Hayden Madder’s dad, Craig, is a 50 year Queensland Touch Jubilee team member, and the apple does not fall too far from the team. Despite being a member of the 12-year’s Queensland side, Madders has already been elevated to the under-14s Academy in a telling sign of the skillset he brings to the field.

Originally published as GALLERY: Queensland Touch Football’s next stars revealed, inspire calls for NRL return