This will be the 17th year of the carnival and 33 teams have signed on for the event with competitiors coming from as far as Forster, Gunnedah, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Penrith and Mt Druitt as well as western teams from Lithgow, Portland, Bathurst, Mudgee, Dubbo, Mendooran, Premer, and Tambar Springs.

It is set to be a fun weekend of footy as the seven a side tournament (maximum 14 players per team) has last year’s A-Grade grand finalists ‘Snugglers’ back to defend their title.

Not only are Penrith’s ‘Snugglers’ coming to play touch but they will also hold workshops at both the Coolah Central School and the Sacred Heart School on Friday.

But the ‘Snugglers’ face some stiff competition over the two days as the Muswellbrook Rabbits return for their 10th carnival and of the previous nine Coolah contested tournaments the Rabbits have won seven A-Grade finals. In the past the Rabbits have donated their prize winning money and money raised throughout the year (over $3500) to Coolah Pre School and this year are organising a BBQ on Saturday night for the Preschoolers and their families.

There will be entertainment on the Saturday night at all venues (both Hotels and the Sporting Club) with everyone encouraged to dress up and enjoy a great night out.

The divisions for the touch carnival are again separated into men’s or mixed teams with the men’s teams allowed only three players between 30-34 years of age and the rest over 35. All women players must be 30 years and over.

Coolah Touch Football said they are very fortunate and grateful to have the teams play at the weekend and thanked them for providing a massive injection to the touch weekend.

The competition will get under way from Bowen Oval, Binnia St, Coolah on Saturday morning.