Port Macquarie: Touch fever hits town on the eve of NSW State Cup
Port Macquarie’s premier sporting event, the NSW State Cup, has hit the Hastings. It’ll bring more than 3,500 people to town and inject $3.5 million into the region‘s economy.
Mid-North Coast
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The shackles that have held Port Macquarie’s love of live sport back during 2020 will be broken this weekend, with the town set to host the biggest event in months – the NSW State Cup touch titles.
Hundreds of elite touch footballers will converge on Port tomorrow to play in the three-day tournament which in recent years has been regarded as one of the most successful events.
Not only will there be an exciting display of football played on the field, but plenty of value invested into the Port economy off it.
“This will be a huge boost for us economically,” Port Mayor Peta Pinson said.
“Over $3 million being brought to our region by just over 3,500 people. We welcome them, we’re really pleased that they’re here and we wish all the players all the best this weekend.”
It is expected that about 200 teams will vie for the title of state cup champions across a range of open and junior men’s and women’s formats.
Given the large numbers of participants, and the requirements to adhere to the Public Health Orders and NSW Health exemption and advice, the event will be played under the Arrive Play Leave Protocol.
It will also be a non-spectator event.
“We’re coming to terms with what will be a different event,” NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell said.
“However, we are thankful we have been granted the exemption from the government and excited we can continue with the event. Especially so in a year, where a lot of other sports have been forced to cancel their state championships due to COVID-19,
“Mens and women’s A category teams will play in ‘blocks’ at Port Macquarie regional stadium, so they might play games back-to-back-to-back then they’ll leave and the women’s teams will come on and do the same.
“It will probably mean that we’ll have to play under lights which will be the first time ever.”
Port Macquarie Makos player, Tyler Donovan, will represent the town’s under 20s team.
The side has been on a strict training schedule over the last three months to fine tune themselves for the pinnacle touch competition of the year.
Donovan said speed and attack will his best weapon in hoping to overcome his opposition.
“We have a pretty good shot at winning it this year,” the 18-year-old said.
“We’ve got a lot of speed, our ball playing is really good, and we tend to gel quite well in defence. Teams do find it hard to score against us.”
Individuality, Donovan will be hunting around in search of the ball, and then, the try line.
“The country champs I found the try line a lot, but it’s a different ball game this weekend.”
The impact of COVID-19 and the public gathering rules under the Public Health Order had legitimately placed the event under some doubt.
“We‘re coming, thanks to the State Government exemption that we have been able to secure, but the event will be like never before,“ Mr Russell said.
“Playing divisions in sections, moving participants on and off the venue and not having spectators at all mean this year is like no other but our alternative is not to play.”
He said this year‘s State Cup has been even more challenging than in 2019 when the sport had to manage the impacts of the fires and air quality.
COVID-19 has impacted the event, but to Mr Russell’s joy, is still going ahead.
There will be 19 divisions from U/20s to 0/60s being played.
“It‘s not going to be normal, our participants won’t be able to stay at the fields, and we are losing 13 hours of game time, but as a positive, it will open up opportunities to explore the region like many of our people haven‘t had in the past,“ Mr Russell said.
There will be close to 200 representing 46 affiliates from right across NSW.
It will require more than 250 referees to officiate 95 games across the three days of hard-fought competition.
Mayor Pinson said that the NSW Touch team have done a wonderful job in ensuring that this year’s event can go ahead.
“While our community will miss the action in person, it is just so encouraging to be able to welcome competitors and once again showcase everything our wonderful region has to offer,” she said.
“I wish all participants the very best for a weekend of fun and competitive action, and may the best teams win.”
Games commence at 8.00am Friday and progress through to the finals on Sunday which will begin from 2.30pm. The prestigious Women‘s and Men’s Championships will be played at 3.30 and 4.00pm respectively.
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