Whitsunday Touch – New Name, New Season

With the upcoming season starting in a matter of weeks, the local Whitsunday Touch Football sporting group are looking for a new name so they can increase their profile within the broader competition community.

Their counterparts, Mackay Thunder and Townsville Frogs, have a mascot or theme and it is now time for Whitsunday Touch to welcome a new identity too.

A Facebook post was launched to get player feedback and, with 227 registered players for Whitsunday Touch, there have been a lot of comments and recommendations.

So far, two front runners have come out ahead – the Whitsunday Wallabies and the Whitsunday Mudskippers.

“We want to keep it local and identified with something local,” said committee member Alita DeBrincat.

“I think the Wallabies would be a great play on that!”

Her husband and fellow committee member, however, thinks that the Mudskippers are more synonymous with the club.

“There are mudskippers right here on our home ground,” said Azza DeBrincat.

“Half the field is surrounded by mudskippers and their evolution – they are fish that walk on land – is what I like!”

Anyone can comment on the club’s Facebook page, but the ultimate decision will be made by the committee.

Touch Football is hugely popular in the Whitsundays with over 200 players meeting and competing against each other every Monday night.

It is one of the only local sports that requires no travel and can be played together as a family.

“It’s economical, it’s community based, there is no travel, no training – the commitment is only joy!” said player Demelza Ansell.

“We are all working parents – but we all get here as a family – and we love it”

“I’m a single mother and I like that we can bring in the male role models to connect with kids”

Alita agrees, saying the sport has been a source of great times with her children.

“We get to play as a family together in this sport – mums and dads get to play together with their kids,” she said.

“Every age-group can play because of the different levels of skillsets.”

Touch Football is a form of Rugby League but instead of physically tackling your opponent, you simply need to ‘touch’ them in order to win the play.

This means the sport is not only family-friendly, affordable and low-commitment, it is also non-contact and safe for everyone to participate.

This makes it great for girls and also people who are getting older but still wish to compete and have fun.

Do not be fooled by the all-inclusive aspect however, the competition is split into grades and there is a competitive side to the sport which is highly-skilled and loved by many youngsters at their peak of fitness.

Perfect for all ages, genders and abilities, there is something for everyone in Touch Footy.

If you would like to get involved head to the Whitsunday Touch Facebook page or simply come and check out a game from 5.30pm every Monday at Whitsundays Sports Park.

‍

Demelza Ansell, Claudia Ansell, Jay DeBrincat, Alita DeBrincat, Stella Ansell and Azza DeBrincat. Photo credit: Rachael Smith