209 teams from 26 affiliates will contest the event, being played in Rockhampton for the first time

More than 3000 players and their families are headed to Rockhampton as it hosts Queensland’s premier junior affiliate touch competition for the first time. Here’s all you need to know.

A total of 209 teams from 26 affiliates will contest the Junior State Cup in Rockhampton this week.

The excitement level is “through the roof” in the lead-up to the Junior State Cup being played for the first time in Rockhampton, according to the city’s touch association president Gary Benbow.

The three-day carnival, recognised as the premier junior affiliate competition in Queensland, is bringing thousands of players and spectators to the region.

Hundreds of games in age groups from under-10 through to under-18 will be played at Cyril Connell Fields and Norbridge Park from Thursday.

Round robin games are on Thursday and Friday, with finals starting on Saturday morning.

Benbow said everything was in place for the flagship event, with the fields at both venues in top condition.

Games will be played in age groups from under-10 through to under-18 at the Junior State Cup.

More than 3000 players will be in action in 209 teams from 26 affiliates.

“We’re all keen and preparations are in order so it’s just a matter of putting it on the park now,” Benbow said.

“It’s the first time the carnival has been in Central Queensland. It’s our maiden voyage… but I think we’ll put ourselves in good stead for the future.”

The carnival has attracted 209 teams from Townsville down to Tweed, with affiliates Wynnum, South Tweed, Tully and Thuringowa competing for the first time.

Benbow said Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold Coast would be highly competitive, as would Rockhampton which will field 21 teams.

“It’s a huge event,” Benbow said.

Host centre Rockhampton is expected to again perform strongly at the Junior State Cup, which will run from Thursday to Saturday.

“Everything is looking good and we’re set for a strong, fast and very enjoyable competition.

“I’d love to see Rocky in every grand final if possible but at the moment, all the boys and girls are just itching to play touch on their home turf.

“I think most, if not all of them would never have played up here in a competition this big so it’s going to be massive for them.”

JUNIOR STATE CUP BY THE NUMBERS

Total participants: Over 3500 (including coaches and referees). Over 10,000 attendees each day at the precinct (officials, parents, spectators and participants)

Total games (including finals): 862

Total referees: 210

Number of fields operating: 21

Total teams: 209

Total affiliates: 26

- Gympie (1 team)

- Gladstone (10 teams)

- Bundaberg (9 teams)

- Caboolture (9 teams)

- Hounds (9 teams)

- UQ (2 team)

- NGCT (4 teams)

- Wynnum (8 teams)

- Coolum (2 team)

- Rockhampton (21 teams)

- Mackay (6 teams)

- South Tweed (2 teams)

- Emerald (2 teams)

- Arana (2 teams)

- BMTA (20 teams)

- Palm Beach (14 teams)

- Redlands (17 teams)

- Gold Coast (15 teams)

- Noosa (4 teams)

- Brothers (6 teams)

- Dalby (5 teams)

- Ipswich (11 teams)

- Tully (1 teams)

- Thuringowa (1 teams)

- Toowoomba (18 teams)

- Townsville (10 teams)

Total divisions: 20

- Under-10 Challenge (boys and girls)

- Under-10 Development (boys and girls)

- Under-12 Challenge (boys and girls)

- Under-12 Development (boys and girls)

- Under-14 Championship (boys and girls)

- Under-14 Challenge (boys and girls)

- Under-16 Championship (boys and girls)

- Under-16 Challenge (boys and girls)

- Under-18 Championship (boys and girls)

- Under-18 Challenge (boys and girls)

Originally published as 209 teams from 26 affiliates will contest the event, being played in Rockhampton for the first time