General manager of the NSW Touch Association Dean Russell and Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor Dallas Tout are excited for the city to host the Junior State Cup Southern Conference for the seventh time. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Ten thousand people are expected to take to the fields of Jubilee Park this weekend as Wagga prepares to host the Junior State Cup Southern Conference touch football carnival for the seventh time.
NSW Touch Association (NSWTA) is expecting 180 teams to take to the field over the three-day festival with the winners of each respective age group to be invited to the state finals later this year.
“Being such a prestigious junior event with 27 affiliate clubs right across the southern conference, we’re expecting around 10,000 people to come across the Jubilee Park precinct,” NSWTA general manager Dean Russell said.
“We’ve got really strong participation from the southwestern part of the state here being located in Wagga; there’s a strong Sydney contingent from the likes of Penrith and Balmain, Cronulla and Canterbury all making their way down to Wagga as we speak.
“We’ve also got the South Coast areas as well, and some Sapphire Coast teams coming across for the first time.”
The 2025 carnival will be the seventh time Wagga has hosted the event with Jubilee Park also being locked in for the 2026 carnival.
The event is one of the city’s biggest draws and is expected to bring more people to town than when the Canberra Raiders visit.
“Jubilee Oval provides an excellent venue for this prestigious event,” he said.
“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.”
Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said the city looked forward to welcoming all the players, families, supporters, organisers and volunteers back to Jubilee Park.
“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.”
Mr 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 8 am on Friday and progress through to the finals from noon on Sunday, with the prestigious Girls 18s and Boys 18s to be played at 1:30 pm and 1 pm respectively.
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