Touch Football Australia (TFA) is pleased to announce the TFA All Stars and TFA Indigenous All Stars sides to take part in the 2016 Harvey Norman All Stars event to be held at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, 13 February 2016.
Two games of Touch Football will be played as part of the All Stars event, with the latter of the two to take place just prior to the kick-off of the NRL Indigenous All Stars taking on the World All Stars.
TFA Chief Executive Officer, Colm Maguire said that the organisation is extremely excited to be again involved in the All Stars concept.
"The All Stars is a significant event to recognise and celebrate Indigenous Australians and the diversity within our culture, and our sport, with representatives from across the country to take on one another on the field, as well as come together off it, to aid in the delivery of community and educational outcomes," Maguire said.
"The brand of Touch Football is going from strength to strength, and with our partnerships with the NRL and Harvey Norman, a strong foundation is being set to help the sport achieve great things in our next strategic cycle and beyond."
Phil Gyemore will again take the reins as coach of the TFA Indigenous All Stars Team, with Michael Lovett to again lead the TFA All Stars. Both coaches have had a huge year, being central to victorious World Cup campaigns, Phil as an assistant coach for the Women's Open and Michael as coach of the Mixed Open side.
TFA High Performance Manager, Wayne Grant, spoke of the important role the coaches have played as members of the High Performance program, as well as the 2015 All Stars event.
"Both Phil and Mick are fantastic coaches who have an ability to bring their groups together, which is especially important, as many of the athletes have not played together before."
"Both thrive on the competitive nature of the game, and I'm sure will put all niceties aside when the teams take the field."
"We're really excited about the two playing groups for this year's event, and are positive that they will represent the sport extremely well, but also put on a great show for all of those watching in the stands and at home," Grant added.
The participants in the two teams have taken different journeys to the All Stars event, the TFA All Stars team is a mixture of those voted on by the public, as well as through selection and CEO picks. An Expression of Interest process was undertaken for the TFA Indigenous All Stars, with players nominating themselves for consideration, and then selected through consultation with the coaches, and the TFA High Performance team.
Touch Football Australia would like to congratulate the athletes selected for their respective sides, and look forward to seeing them take the field on Saturday, 13 February 2016.
TFA All Stars
Jayden Benbow
Stuart Brierty
Hannah Dyball
Dylan Hennessey
Kylie Hilder
Samantha Hopkin
Leah Percy
Rob McCarthy
Peter Norman
Steve Roberts
Samantha Rodgers
Kai Simbolon
Emma Sykes
Louise Winchester
Coach: Micheal Lovett
TFA Indigenous All Stars
Scott Bundy
Kristian Congoo
Justin Costello
Kasey Dragisic
Cody Green
Jemma Mi Mi
Kobe Nona
Lachlan Pierce
Jarrad Rotumah
Tahlulah Tillett
Trent Touma
Tamika Upton
Carly Walsh
Marikki Watego
Coach: Phil Gyemore
For all the latest news regarding the 2016 Harvey Norman All Stars Event, head to www.touchfootball.com.au and the TFA Social Media pages for all of the up to date information, and coverage of the TFA All Stars teams whilst on tour.
