After more than 1700 games, the 2022 Gold Coast Titans All Schools (GCTAS) Touch winners were decided, bringing to a close the five day festival of touch football on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
The GCTAS, the largest touch football competition in the world, made a stunning return to the Gold Coast, with more than 460 teams going head to head in a battle for state honours.
Tournament Director Peter Bell congratulated all the schools and teams for their performances this week.
"Thank you to our Gold Coast Titans All Schools community for another fantastic event this year on the Gold Coast," Bell said.
"It was fantastic to see more than 460 teams go head-to-head across 30 fields for the last five days. A great celebration of our 40th anniversary.
"Events like this wouldn't be possible without the support of our partners, so a special thanks to Major Events Gold Coast and Gold Coast Titans for their ongoing support and commitment.
"The Gold Coast Titans All Schools will return to the Gold Coast Performance Centre from 4-8 October 2023 and we can't wait for our community to come back together again," he said.
Queensland Touch Football CEO Greg Denny said it was thrilling to see so many young touch football athletes representing their schools with pride.
"The All Schools competition is a fantastic festival of touch football and it has been great to see so many schools from across Queensland represented here on the Gold Coast," Denny said.
"For many of these young touch football players, the All Schools is the pinnacle of their year, providing great team building opportunities as well as the chance to compete against other teams from around the state, country and world.
"While it was great to award so many medals and trophies today, the Gold Coast Titans All Schools is more than just who won the medals, and is about giving young people the chance to compete and enjoy playing touch football.
"Congratulations to all schools, players and coaches, as well as to our referees and officials who gave up so much time to ensure our competition could go ahead.
"Thanks to our strategic event partners in Major Events Gold Coast and Gold Coast Titans for their ongoing support of this event, we look forward to coming back again in 2023," he said.
The Cathedral College (Rockhampton) claimed the first title on offer, taking out the 13 Girls divisions for the second year in a row, defeating King's Christian College 7-0. Head Coach Tracey Upton could not be more proud of the effort her team displayed on field today.
"We're very proud of the girls, they've worked so hard for this and were finally able to get the job done," Upton said.
"We started training for this four months ago, and were ultimately rewarded with the win, we're very happy. The round games, they played really, really well but today was tough. Four games, in the heat, but they really came together and came through to get the win," she said.
In the 13 Boys semi final, locals Miami State High School stormed home to claim the win 2-1 against St Mary's Toowoomba.
"It was a good experience and we're really happy that we're the best team in the state," said player Murphy Phillips.
"It was a grind the whole game, but our boys just grinded it out and we were able to win in the end. None of us gave up, we were all so tired after four games of touch but none of us gave up. It was good," he said.
In a close knit 15 Boys grand final, Marsden State High School were pipped at the post by St Mary's Toowoomba, who claimed a 5-4 win.
St Mary's captain Braithen Scott said his team could not be happier with the back to back Gold Coast Titans All Schools wins, having taken out the 13 Boys title in 2021.
"That was pretty amazing - to win it in 13 Boys and come back this year to win it in 15 Boys is pretty special," Scott said.
"Not many schools get to win All Schools, let alone win back-to-back so we're pretty happy. Our defence was a big part of our game, and we just really dug deep to pull through in the end," he said.
Palm Beach Currumbin State High School were crowned 15 Girls champions, defeating Cleveland State High School 4-2.
Finals across the 18 Boys, 18 Girls and 18 Mixed were contested on the last day of competition, with Ignatius Park (Townsville) defeating Chancellor State College in the 18 Boys Final 8-4.
Ignatius Park captain Matthew Hunter said his team could not have been happier with the win.
"We were in the grand final last year but couldn't quite get the job done so to bring it home this year is incredible," Hunter said.
"This is an unreal experience for the boys - it sucked losing last year so we wanted to make it up to ourselves this year. We knew it was going to be a tough game, Chancellor is a big touch football school with a lot of Queensland representatives.
"We just knew if we kept to our game plan, and pushed them all the way until the end, we would get on top," he said.
In the 18 Mixed division, Rockhampton's Emmaus College claimed their fourth straight title. Player of the final Lilla Pratt said the win caps off an incredible experience for her team.
"I'm ecstatic - we played so well during the tournament and trained so hard to get here, I'm just really proud of everyone," Pratt said.
"This is my first All Schools, but to get the fourth win for our school with this team was really special. It's really good having a 18 Mixed division, and getting to play with the boys, we don't normally get to do that back home.
"We're all such great friends, so getting to play together and get the win is so amazing," she said.
St Aidan's Anglican Girls School claimed the last championship title on offer, defeating Chancellor State College 3-2 in the 18 Girls final.
"I'm so proud of these girls, we're such a close group of girls and everyone is so happy to be a part of our team," said captain Bella Hannaford.
"Our coaches have done so well to keep us as a tight group, and get us all the way to the All Schools final here today.
"There's so many girls who we hope will continue on this legacy, and incorporate more touch into our school," she said.
The Gold Coast Titans All Schools Touch will return to the world class Gold Coast Performance Centre from 4-8 October 2023.
2022 GOLD COAST TITANS ALL SCHOOLS TOUCH CHAMPIONS
13 Boys - Miami State High School (Gold Coast)
13 Girls - The Cathedral College (Rockhampton)
15 Boys - St Mary's College (Toowoomba)
15 Girls - Palm Beach Currumbin State High School (Gold Coast)
18 Boys - Ignatius Park College (Townsville)
18 Girls - St Aidan's Anglican Girls School (Brisbane)
18 Mixed - Emmaus College (Rockhampton)
For full results - click here
ENDS
For more information please contact Phoebe Maher on 0452 408 101 or phoebe.maher@btbconsulting.com.au
