21 Gun Salute
Highlights from some of NTL’s shining lights over the years…
Tony (Tash) Eltakchi
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory at
an NTL?
There have been many highlights in my 15 title wins, however the favourite would have
to be when I had the Mixed Open Trophy named after me. This moment rates amongst
one of the best in my touch football career and is up with there with representing and
captaining Australia.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
My biggest rival at NTL came from playing against the Sharks in the Mixed open division.
I always knew that it would be a tough match, whether it was a round game, semi or
grand final. They had so many awesome players, especially Amy Hope (nee Fong) and
our games were always intense, physical but played in great spirit with mutual respect.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the NTL?
I love being able to catch up with friends from interstate, especially team mates that I
have played with for Australia. Also just being able to watch other friends play. The
atmosphere at NTL always has a friendliness about it. Maybe I’m just too sociable lol.
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What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
My advice would be to work out what position you like playing the most. Once you know
that, work on the attributes that will make you better at your role. For example, if you
want to play middle and your strengths are driving and defending, then concentrate on
the one per centers that will make you the best middle in the game. Remember, that
you will only get out what you put in. So if you want to play NTL and be dominant, be
prepared to sacrifice time for training and never give up.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
NTL has grown bigger and better. The tournament itself is a major credit to Touch
Football Australia and its dedicated team. The venue is arguably the best in our sport,
backed by the recent 2015 World Cup. The introduction of the Elite 8 Series has raised
the bar for the top tier players. The sport now has television coverage and is aligned
with the NRL. None of this was evident in 1997 when it all started. I would have to be
dead to miss an NTL.
David Richardson
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory at
an NTL?
I have several memorable highlights:
-
Making quarter finals with the Barbarian Mixed
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Touring under the guidance of Peter Bell with the inaugural Elite 8 women.
And learning a lot.
-
Making our first final with the Western Tigers Womens’ 40s
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team
Mets Mixed. We beat them for the first time in 2007 as huge underdogs. After this game
we developed self-belief, unfortunately losing a quarterfinal to the same team in 2008,
6-4.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the NTL?
I have never had a bad experience at NTL. My development as a coach has been made
possible by the camaraderie, friendships and guidance of elite coaches and players I
have had the pleasure of meeting over the last 15 years.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
Be professional in everything you do. Never shirk fitness or team training. Go knowing
you have given yourself every opportunity to succeed.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
Everything has improved- livestreaming of games, the Elite 8 competition has taken the
sport to the next level. The skill level of players has improved immeasurably, particularly
in attack- you can score 10 touchdowns in a final and not be guaranteed a win. Also,
every second player can hit a 20 metre long ball, male or female. I remember marvelling
at Tony Eltachi being the early exponent of this skill.
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Peter Hampson
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory at
an NTL?
Making the semi-finals in Senior Mixed 2012. We had a really good team that year and
thought we were a chance to win. We were unlucky that food poisoning wiped out more
than half the team before the semi-final against Victoria. I know it doesn’t sound like
much of an achievement but for a small state it was a big step forward. I remember in
that game receiving the ball on our defensive line and running through the defence
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outside the link for a full length-of-the-field score. Unfortunately, talent was a big
limiting factor for me so highlights are few and far between.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Brisbane City Cobras in the Seior Mixed, 2012. They went on to make the Grand Final
and somehow lost. They had so many variations on their middle-middle attack that it
made it difficult to read. They also just ran really hard and had some speedy women
who exposed us a bit. When we started to shut down their middle-middle it just started
raining long balls to the wing. I think we may have been in front at half time and then
they just put on a touch clinic in the second half.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the NTL?
Without a doubt the friendships I’ve made over the years from within the Tasmanian
Team and from other parts of this great land. Toby Burgess, my roomies Juan Harmey
and Chris Nason, Steve ‘Robbo’ Roberts, Luke ‘Robo-Ref’ Mckenzie, and as well as every
other Tassie player I’ve played with, coached or managed. The final night festivities
where we catch up with everyone we battled against and reminisce over a few delectable
froffies is always something I look forward to as much as photocopy boy at work looks
forward to the office Christmas Party. The friendships are definitely what keep me
coming back.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
“Believe in yourself and others will believe in you too”. Coming from a small state like
Tassie it’s often quite overwhelming to think you can compete against ‘mainland’
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competition, particularly when we often get significant smashings at junior elite level.
During the time I’ve played and coached we’ve had some success in making quarter and
semi-finals so we’re not that far away from challenging for a division title soon. If you
want to play elite 8’s you need to ensure you’re fit as a racing snake and have dedicated
time to working on your speed.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
Three things instantly come to mind when I think of how NTL has improved over the
years. 1. The introduction of elite 8’s. 2. The move back to Coffs Harbour 3. The provision
of lunches and food in the alliance and affiliates tent. Elite 8’s is a great spectacle and
anyone from around Australia has the chance to play it if they’re good enough. Coffs
Harbour is a fantastic venue (not that Port Mac isn’t) and allows TFA to showcase their
premier event in a top class facility. The food/lunches provision just takes so much
pressure off players and coaching staff to have to prepare food and bring it to the
grounds, a big step forward in athlete management.
Angela Barr
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
Probably a favourite highlight/memory for me would be winning the 2002 NTL
Women’s Open final 12-1 against Western Hunter Hornets. I felt like I played the best
tournament I ever have at NTL that year and I just remember really enjoying and
savouring every minute of it.
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Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Our biggest rival ever would definitely have to be Sydney Mets, with the Judd sisters
and Louise Winchester. I can’t really single out a year as we played the majority of
our semi-finals/grand finals against them over a number of years and all of the games
were close including our fair share of drop offs.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
Without a doubt the most enjoyable element about NTL is the people you meet and
the friendships you make. Striving to achieve the same goal of winning a NTL final,
training your butt off and sharing all the good times and bad times with your team
mates, nothing beats it. Also the after parties at The Greenhouse!
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
Probable the best advice I would give to an up and coming player who wanted to play
NTL one day would be to train hard, concentrate on the basics when playing and be
open to and listen to any constructive criticism but don’t let eat at your confidence.
Sure work on your weakness but also use your strengths and trust in your ability.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
I think that NTL has been a wonderful tournament for many years and continues to be
so. However, with the change in format to Elite 8’s, it has felt as though there is more
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segregation between the open and masters divisions, whereas in the past there was
more interaction with the other teams in your region, no matter what division they
played.
Ben Hughes
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory at
an NTL?
There is always one game that replays in the back of mind and that is the Quarter final
between NSW Scorpions and The Alliance Men’s team back in 2015 at the Elite 8
Competition. That year our Alliance team had a tough run by losing the first three
games by only one try on day 1, then to go out the next day against two red hot
Queensland teams which put us to the sword. We had no hope of making the finals
after we fell short in games, that night a storm came rolling in which caused day three
unplayable which meant we didn’t play the last two games of the tournament for us.
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We received a phone call telling us that they would be doing quarter finals on the final
day as the competition was so close between all teams and they couldn’t determine
the final four. This was big for the Alliance as it gave us a chance to play finals footy,
we came up against number 1 ranked team the NSW Scorpions on field 1 at 10:30am
on Saturday, a game where we were giving no chance of upsetting the Scorps. The
first half was a tight contested battle which was back and forth scores were locked up
at 2 all and I remember Stuart Brierty our captain made us go in the sheds underneath
the stadium where he gave one of the best halftime speeches of all time, to this day I
have never seen 14 guys so pumped up for a second half of footy. I remember being
so pumped up for the next half where normally I don’t get that pumped, the second
half was like the first and was back and forth once 20 mins where up, there were no
tries which meant scores were locked up meaning it was going a to drop off. By then
all of the elite 8 games had finished and we had stacked stadium as well players from
other games circle around the field. You could hear the crowd cheering us on which
gave all the boys a boost, it went to 3 on 3 after 5 mins of no tries being scored. The
class off the Scorps were too good and they iced the game. Whilst it was a game we
didn’t win everything about that game was something I won’t forget. We had some of
the Alliance states delay there warm ups to cheer us on in those intense moments,
something that still hurts to know we were so close but a special game I won’t forget
anytime soon.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
The Rebels mixed team back in 2014 were probably our biggest rivals at the 2014
event, that year we put together a mixed side with a good core of men’s players in the
ACT as well some of the best girls in the ACT. We knew if we had any chance of doing
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well we had to match with the best mixed team, at this stage the Rebels had a strong
hold on the mixed competition and had like a 23 game win streak at NTL which meant
they had gone through a couple of NTL’s undefeated. They were placed in our pool at
NTL’s which gave us a good test and it meant if we finished top 2 we wouldn’t see
them again until the final on the Saturday. The rebels team had a write up on the TFA
website talking about the win streak, the next day we were set to play them and our
goal was to break the streak, scores were locked at 11 all and in the final moments of
the game they scored on the buzzer to win the game by one. We went on to make the
semi-final which was a first for most of us at a national event against a good Brisbane
City Cobra side we went down 5-4 which meant we never got a chance to play the
Rebels in the final with a packed crowd watching.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the NTL?
The most enjoyable element is the friendships that you make, leading up you are
training with the same blokes for a few months you begin to build a bond with the 14
other guys in your team. So when you have downtime after games it’s good to just
have a laugh and enjoy each other’s company so you spend months training and
getting things right and it’s all over in four days so you got to make sure you have fun.
Another good element is catching up with friends all over Australia, sometimes this is
the only time you get to see them so it’s always good time of year to catch up with
friends.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
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The only advice I could give would be to make sure you have fun and make the trip
worthwhile, make sure you put in at training and be in the best shape you can be
before you go away. We all sacrifice a lot of time and money to go away for four days
of highly competitive touch so make it worth it for all the hours you spent leading up to
NTL’s.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
A lot has changed over the years at the NTL event, I remember watching as kid and
enjoyed watching some of the best touch players in Australia change the game.
Drummy with his flashy footwork, Dylan Hennessy and his long ball, Pete Norman and
with lighting speed and Stuart Brierty with his defence. I think with the introduction of
the Elite 8 into the event has improved the game. When you have the best players in
Australia competing against each other it’s bound to improve the game, each year
there will be an adjustment in defence to try and stop the best players in the game at
what they do best. And each year those good players find new years to still be just as
effective. I believe personally that this concept has helped the game and it is starting
to show in the youth stepping up.
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Mark Borland
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
My favourite memory of NTL would have to be being lucky enough to win the the first
four titles with the Scorpions Men's open. And believe me a lot of good fortune was
involved, in the first three years we hardly won a game by more than one try. The
highlight would be receiving the "Peter McNeven" coaching award after the Maverick
Men's team won, which I found as rewarding as actually playing. To receive it from the
great man himself topped it off.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Our biggest rival in the first few years was Brisbane City Cobra's. They played a brand
of footy that had them getting from one end of the field to the other in 2 or 3 touch's.
They were probably the most expansive and entertaining teams to have played at this
level.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
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I think everybody's off field highlights would be catching up with friends from other
states you may only see once a year. Witnessing the progress of two old teammates
sons in Craig Pearce (dec), Lachie and Scott Notley, Jake bring personal joy having
known them as babies.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
My advice to kids aspiring to play at an NTL would be to play and practice as often as
possible. If you love it, you'll get there.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
The organisation of the event and presentation of the fields are so much more
professional. The advent of E8 has seen a higher level of skill and the pace and ability
of the girls in particular is through the roof.
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Paul Baker
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory at
an NTL? The first game I played in Coffs Harbour many years ago, which is comparable
to the first game that I was involved in as a referee. The highlight so far was attending
as a referee coach and having the ability to pass on knowledge to the next generation
of referee’s.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event?
Please include year and team. When I first attended NTL as a player it was more about
the team we were about to play not individual players.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
Once you have attended an NTL, players, coaches, and acquaintances will always stop
and talk / chat about what has transpired since last time you saw each other the touch
community just keeps growing.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
If you ever get the chance to fulfil your dream, make sure you prepare the best you
can so that you get the most out of the experience.
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How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
Over the 20 or so years that I have been involved with the NTL the game has evolved
to one of the most exciting games to watch and be involved with.
Toby Burgess
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In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
Selection in my first Men’s open for Crusaders. The team had made the semi-finals the
previous two years so there was a lot of excitement and expectation about doing well
at the tournament.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Brisbane Cobras have been a nemesis across many divisions since I started playing!
We’ve always had good battles over the years, but more recently they successfully
knocked Tasmania out of Mixed Open finals in 2013 and 2015.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
The banter in the bus back to the hotel after a good game! Nothing quite says
‘enjoyment’ like cramming 14 sweaty and sunburnt touch players into the back of a
rented Kia Carnival powered solely by the inharmonious melodies that play karaoke to
the team CD...
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
Strive to be the hardest working player in the team. If you give it your best shot and
you’ve got a good attitude, that’s all you can ask of yourself no matter what the
outcome.
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How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
I think it has improved as an experience in many facets. All of the grounds around the
stadium are now of a high standard, the alignment of some NTL permits with NRL
teams is a positive step and the addition of the Alliance tent last year removed a lot of
duplication that used to occur across the States. All in all, it’s got a much more
professional look in terms of management and from a sporting aspect it’s pleasing to
see a variety of franchises and Alliance States now taking NTL championships across
the divisions on offer.
Phil Gyemore
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
I’ve been attending the NTL since 1998 first as a player and now as coach of the
Cowboys Men’s Open team. My favourite memory is an easy one, it’s winning the Elite
8 event for the first time in 2014 with the Cowboys Men’s team against the NSW
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Country Mavericks. The moment was shared with some players/friends that I have
known and played touch with for over 15 years.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
In recent years I would have to say that the NSW Country Mavericks are our biggest
rivals. We have played them in the 2014 and 2016 Elite 8 finals. Prior to that it would
have been Sydney Mets. For a long time Sydney Mets had Garry Sonda steering them
around the park and he is a very passionate player that gives 110% for the team that
he represents.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
Socialising with your team mates and other players as they all work together to try and
take out the National title is always fun. A lot of people have been involved in the NTL
for a long time and it sometimes feels like a reunion.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
The Elite 8 series for Men’s and Women’s Open is the toughest Touch Football
competition in the world. My best advice would be that preparation is the key to your
success in the event. It’s 4 tough days of touch against the best players and you need
to be at a very high level of fitness to ensure that you can perform the way you want
to.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
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Changing the NTL format into the current Elite 8 Series for Men’s and Women’s Open
was a huge step in the right direction for it to be a true elite level competition. Having
only 8 teams in the men’s and women’s divisions means that all players and officials
need to perform consistently as there are no easy round games. Any of the Elite 8
teams can beat any other permits on any given day. The games are of a much higher
standard and everyone wants to be challenged.
Scott Notley
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
I did manage to make a men’s final in the early days before I got too old but one of
my favourite memories happened on the back fields playing in the 40s at Port
Macquarie.
One of the opposition was chasing our dummy half across field after the half had cross
the line. As the half got to the corner, he stepped back in field and the defender
couldn’t stop and had to jump into the small creek that ran quite close to the edge of
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the field. He disappeared completely under water and all that was left was his bucket
hat until he resurfaced sometime later. Who knew the creek was that deep?
That was very funny. That was the last game played on that particular field that year.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
I was a bit old before the NTL started but Scorpions were the best team for the first
few years of the comp. Mark Boland was the main man for them (sorry Smurf you
were next), and he was even older than me. Then won the first four comps I think
which was a great effort.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
I enjoy the team aspect. Knowing what the challenges are before you get to the first
training session, knowing what your goals are and working toward them as a team
hoping that you can overcome any hurdles along the way and celebrate a victory.
There are aspects of team sport that you cannot appreciate if you play an individual
sport.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Try and keep ahead of the play. Stop making
errors. Play what is in front of you. Same advice for the last 20 years. Too many
coaches these days think they have to be technical, like which direction to turn your
hips etc. when you are defending. Makes me laugh.
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How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
It was always a well-run event and continues to be so. It has proved resilient with
minor tweaks over the years.
Possibly there are too may overage divisions which
means, in most regions, if you want to go away you can find a team to go away with.
To me that is not representative touch, it is more about participation and detracts from
the event.
Bec Oliver
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite
highlight/memory at an NTL?
When our coach Toby Burgess couldn’t help himself and pulled on the number 3 for
our final game in Mixed 2015. It was an honour to play alongside such an old Tassie
stalwart!
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Probably SA in mixed 2015. We had a couple of must win games against them. It's
always good to have competitive games against the non-NSW and QLD teams.
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What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that
you love about the NTL?
Supporting other Tassie teams and having family and friends around who have
travelled to support us.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
Absolutely believe you can do it! Seek out advice from as many people as you can,
work hard on your skills and fitness and enjoy playing touch with your friends.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
The best change I have seen is the success non-QLD and NSW teams are starting to
achieve.
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Ron Connolly
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
As a parent watching my own children compete at both a State and NTL level, but as a
WA Selector
Watching WA touch players compete at this level after watching them compete and
progress from affiliate to State Champs, to NTL and in some cases to National
selection.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Not being a player at this level, but from a WA perspective beating the other States is
always a pleasure and a focus.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
The camaraderie that exists between all players and officials. Again being from WA I
only see some of these only once or twice a year but conversations are like you only
spoke with them yesterday.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
Play hard train hard but always remain honest to yourself
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How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
It has grown immensely has become more professional but hasn’t lost the Touch
Community friendly atmosphere.
Gabe Hodges
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
Winning our first ever O40s women’s game in 2016 after competing in that age
division since 2012 without a win.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
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Catching up with old friends/competitors and having the opportunity to watch the girls
that I have coached as junior’s progress through mixed, T league and Alliance teams.
I love the fact that the NTL provides the opportunity for people of all ages to play. It is
great to see so many family combinations across the many franchises.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
If on your first attempt you are not selected to play at an NTL event, don’t give up.
Seek feedback, take the feedback on board, train hard and try again. It is definitely
worth it.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
The introduction of Alliance teams has provided added opportunities for the Alliance
states and the opportunity for young players to compete against the best players in
Australia. The introduction of the Alliance tent has created a great.
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Kirsten Friend
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
I have so many amazing memories from NTLs but if I had to narrow it down I would
have three favourite highlights. First one was debuting at NTLs playing for Crusaders
Mixed back in 2000 – I was one very excited and super nervous 23-year-old! Second
one was winning the Mixed 30s Championship representing Victoria in 2012 – being
the underdogs and winning pretty much on the buzzer was such a thrill! And finally my
all-time highlight was winning the T League championship representing Victoria last
year. Having played Seniors for a few years but then to make it back into an opens
side at 39, I was thrilled to be part of this historical event and share it with an amazing
bunch of women and dedicated coaching and support staff.
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Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
Thinking back, I remember being super keen to play well against Barbarians back in
2001 – we always wanted to do well against our other combo state sides! After that it
was probably playing against ACT when they broke away from Crusaders.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
It is definitely catching up with all the friends I have made over the years – it’s like a
massive school reunion! And sharing a few drinks at the end of the tournament is
always a highlight of the week, regardless of the outcome, everyone is just happy to
be out of “game mode” and ready to party!
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
It is definitely harder to play at that Elite level now, with the way the structure is set,
but nothing is ever out of reach if you work hard, surround yourself with positive role
models and continue to love the sport!
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
The year the Crusaders franchise was disbanded, which enabled the “developing”
States to stand on their own merit, was an awesome time for Victoria and we were
really smashing boundaries with the way we were playing and succeeding. Now with
the Elite 8 a fixed schedule for NTLs it is harder for our State players to make it at that
National level, with the Alliance team the only pathway in. Despite the opportunities
to make the State T league team there are still age restrictions. Perhaps there are
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ways to relax these to open a few more doors and allow more players to experience
playing at a high level – and from my experience there really is no bigger thrill then
stepping on to that field for the first time (and multiple times after that) representing
your State or your Club and playing some ripping footy!
This year I will be playing with the Victorian Storm Women’s 27s, which will be my 12th
NTL tour and despite the difficulties thrown at the developing States (when do we lose
the developing title?) it has never been a greater time than now to play Touch. With
partnerships being formed with NRL - love wearing the Storm colours by the way ;) –
increased numbers in our junior state programs – Rugby 7s carving it up at the
Olympics – being able to watch games live - touch and this NTL event is thriving and I
will be certainly be playing for as long as I can because I just can’t get enough!
Pia Hatt
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
Throughout my touch football career, my favourite and most memorable moment
would have been winning the 2016 NTLs. It was such an exciting experience to be
playing in the finals at such a big tournament and to come away with a win definitely
became my favourite highlight of my touch football career.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
At the 2016 NTLs I would personally say that South Australia was our biggest rival
throughout the tournament. Although, we didn’t verse them in the finals, South
Australia is such a strong team and great competition as a result of their fast paced
game. They always seem to be a big rival and always cause the Victorians grief.
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What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
The best and most enjoyable off field element at the NTLs would have to be the teams
and all the players and supporters. When off the field at NTLs everyone is so friendly
and encouraging and it is such a great environment to be amongst and it makes the
tournament that much better and causes you to feel privileged to be apart of such a
fantastic community.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
My advice to give to upcoming players would be to work extremely hard throughout
the campaign leading up to NTLs. The more dedicated and committed you are to your
team and touch football in general, the better you, individually and as a team, will
perform. All the extra time and effort you put in will definitely pay off and could
potentially result in you becoming the champions of the event.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
I have only been to two NTL events during my touch football career, however, the
competition definitely changed between the years. The second year I played NTLs the
standards were much higher and all teams had significantly improved and
strengthened. All teams were extremely competitive, which made the games more
thrilling to play and watch, as the teams were both equally as strong, causing very
close results. This made it very difficult to predict which teams were going to be in the
grand final and therefore who was going to come out as the champion team.
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Damien Carlson
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
Far too many for one to stand out, but Getting My first Final men’s 50 in 2004 ? And
getting my level 6 badge in 2006.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
As a referee whilst we are competitive we need to work as a team otherwise the game
may suffer I don’t think I have really had a specific rival.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
Catching up with all the great friends I have made over the years. Many from different
states and some we may not see except at NTL but if feel like we are a family.
What advice would you give to up and coming referees who one day want to
play at an NTL?
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Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t make it. Work hard and
take on board all the advice you can then work out what works for you and go from
there.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
The NTl has certainly changed, from having 2 separate tournaments when I first came
away in 2002 to now having the elite 8 and games being live streamed. Even if you
can’t get there you can still be a part of it. The size and professionalism of the
tournament has certainly one to another level its just a great tournament to be a part
of.
Mick Gray
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I have attended NTL since the first in 1997. Mostly as a coach but also as a referee
gaining my level 6. Clearly I love the game and have been fortunate to be appointed in
the Australian coaching ranks.
Our sport is a community one inclusive of everyone whether you play, coach, manage,
referee, official, administrator or an employee. There are great national ties across
states across oceans and among families. At the time of our daughter Cody's accident
this community lifted our spirits, held us up, and kept us going. This same community
supports us today and into the future. I have watched people grow in skill and age, I
have watched their families grow from sideline spectators to athletes, and on field
athlete to official. Its more than a sport it’s a lifestyle and NTL is our opportunity to
participate in a range of age and gender divisions watching the best athletes play at
our highest national elite level displaying their skills. It is also opportunity for our
community to gather and enjoy each other’s company while a succession of
generations passes us by and experience the same joy.
You asked for memorable moments, I have loved it all.
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Rob Day
In your touch football career, what would be your favourite highlight/memory
at an NTL?
My most favourite memory was actually in 1997 when the seniors represented their
state for the last time and the opens “NTL” commenced the day after the senior’s
finals.
Quite a number of players did both back to back while it crossed over.
At the
time I was representing ADFTA Men’s 30’s. It was still 7-a-side for seniors and we
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commenced the tournament with only 8 players due to some last minute defence
commitments taking several of our players. Memorably, we went against all odds to
make the semi’s and defeat Qld 2-0 and ultimately defeated NSW in the GF in a nail
biting 3 on 3 drop off that lasted an eternity with only 11 players.
Who was your biggest rival ever at an NTL event? Please include year and team.
When I moved to Qld in 2005 I began representing the Sharks.
huge rivalry between Sharks and the Scorpions.
I was exposed to the
I represented Sharks for the next 9
NTL’s and it just seemed we would come up against the Scorps at every critical turn. I
recall the 2011 Grand Final when it was a draw at fulltime but the game continued
after the siren and Scorpions snuck a late one in to clinch to title. Always seemed to
seesaw from year to year. Ironically I moved to Sydney and represented Scorps last
year and will do so again this year.
What is one of the most enjoyable elements off field that you love about the
NTL?
Having had the privilege of representing a number of regions over the years, I’d have
to say it is the incredible comradery and friendships that remains off field through the
participation and shared challenge attained on field at the NTL.
So many of my
friends that I interact with daily are the result of those shared experiences over all
those years. And now to top it off, I get to watch my incredibly talented daughter
Lauren compete in in the Elite 8 Women’s for Alliance which is such a privilege.
What advice would you give to up and coming players who one day want to play
at an NTL?
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Focus on finding your niche within a team.
players.
There is no requirement for 14 ball
Know your skills set and how you can contribute to the overall side and then
work to be the best at that specific role.
How do you think the NTL event changed over the years? Do you think it has
improved / other comments?
Commencing with my first attendance of the old State based Nationals in ‘91 and then
the introduction of NTL in the late 90’s right through to the current format in 2017, my
life has been punctuated by an annual pilgrimage to attend. I have loved the changes
and innovations applied to the NTL format.
What stands out the most to me though is the incredible escalation in depth of player
skills that were not present in the infancy of these iterations.
We no longer have one
or two key players within a side capable of double cut outs, slide dives, defensive
agility to match but a substantial number. I think this is a direct result of the format
improvements that have allowed players to continually be challenged in achieving
representation especially under the Elite 8 and T20 structure.