A round of the 2019 NRL touch football premiership will be brought to Mudgee as a curtain-raiser to the St George Illawarra Dragons verse Newcastle Knights clash on 19 May at Glen Willow Stadium.
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The Newcastle Knights will take on the Parramatta Eels in the NRL touch premiership from 12 noon ahead of the Round 10 NRL Telstra Premiership game at 2pm.
Last year was the first premiership of its kind with six teams competing, however the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors have joined the fun for 2019.
With popular rugby league names including Benji Marshall, Shaun Johnson, Matt Dufty, Maddie Studdon, Bevan French, Kalyn Ponga originating from a touch football background, it is no surprise the partnership between NRL and Touch Football Australia was sparked all those years ago.
“This is just another exciting adventure between the two organisations [NRL and Touch Football Australia],” Ben Harris, Mudgee Touch publicity officer said.
Mudgee Touch Secretary and Mudgee Rugby League Secretary, Kathy Lang says the fact Glen Willow was picked as a host stadium comes as no surprise following discussions, but will bost plenty of benefits for the region’s touch players.
“Council Events staff negotiated with the NRL in regards to these games being curtain-raisers to the NRL game,” Lang said.
“Touch is already a highly participated sport in our area with around 1000 people playing over two competition days from juniors to seniors but having games like these will most certainly increase awareness and excitement around touch.”
With Glen Willow’s outstanding facilities Lang says it’s possible the premiership may return in future years.
“Our facilities are second to none and Glen Willow is a perfect venue,” she said.
Mayor of the Mid-Western Region Councillor Des Kennedy says the curtain-raiser will be an exciting prelude to the main game.
“May 19 is going to be a great day for football fans of both league and touch with an opportunity to see elite players in both codes perform at our premier stadium,” Cr Kennedy said.
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For the region’s touch players, it will be a not to miss opportunity with impeccable talent on display.
“Our members and indeed the community will be blown away by the speed, agility and skills of these players,” Lang said.
“Having games like this certainly adds to the day and no doubt will bring additional people keen to experience touch at its best following on from the success of last year’s competition.”
Although squads for these games have not been chosen, it’s likely the following will be playing.
Eels: Kai Simbolon, Simon Lang, Samantha Rodgers and Hannah Dyball.
Knights: Scott Bundy, Alex Langbridge, Madi Crowe and Sophie Broadhead.
Tickets to the Round 10 NRL Telstra Premiership Game St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights, including admission to all curtain-raiser games, are available at ticketek.com.au
Tickets start from $25 for adults, $20 for concession card holders, $15 for kids (aged 5 - 15) and $55 for a family of four.
Limited grandstand tickets are available at $45 per person and can be purchased through ticketek.com.au.
For more information, visit Council’s Facebook page and website.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
