i98 Premier League Teams Announced

The teams have been drafted ahead of the 2022 i98FM Wollongong Touch Premier League.

A concept beginning in 2018, Wollongong Touch partnered with Illawarra Rugby League to tap off the inaugural WTA Premier League which included 5 Men’s playing under the banners of Thirroul Butchers, Helensburgh Tigers, Dapto Canaries, Corrimal Cougars and Berkeley Eagles.

“It was an idea to build on the partnership between Touch Football Australia and the NRL which at the time had just began the NRL Touch Premiership. At Wollongong Touch we wanted a way to deliver the concept at a more grassroots local affiliate level so we began talks with Illawarra Rugby League,” said WTA Vice President Tim Robinson.

In 2022, the i98FM WTA Premier League is shaping to be the biggest in its 5 year history. Extending the local rugby league partnership to the Group 7 South Coast League in 2020 and in the same year introducing the Women’s Touch Premier League – 2022 will see a record 8 Men’s Teams and 6 Women’s teams compete for glory representing Dapto Canaries, Helensburgh Tigers, Thirroul Butchers, Corrimal Cougars, Wests Illawarra Red Devils, Woonona Bushrangers, Stingrays of Shellharbour, Jamberoo Superoos, Albion Park Eagles, Gerringong Lions.

Robinson said, “We are really pleased how the competition has kicked on. Despite having to miss the 2021 season due to COVID, Wollongong Touch is so thankful to have the support of both the Illawarra and Group 7 Rugby League and its clubs to continue with our goal of delivering an Elite Touch Football competition in the Illawarra and creating a pathway for not only aspiring rep touch players, but those who have ambitions of one day playing NRL, NRLW, Rugby 7’s and even AFL.”

“We’ve seen the likes of NRL and NRLW players Adam Clune, Tyran Wishart, Tristan Sailor, Jack Bostock, Emma Tonegato all play in our Premier League competition, along with Rugby 7’s Rio Gold Medalist Nicole Beck and Sydney Swans Inaugural AFLW signing Ruby Sargent-Wilson. It’s been a focus for a lot of these players to boost their skills in the off season of their sport and for some a way to help inspire the next crop of stars coming through the WTA ranks.”

i98FM the Illawarra’s Number One Radio station has come on board this year as the Naming Rights Partner of the i98FM WTA Premier League.

Wollongong Touch also welcomes team sponsors, Titanium Traffic Management, Complete Hose, The Mill – Dapto Leagues Club, League and Legends Shellharbour, GKR Karate and Fitness, MCR and Charity Partner The Disability Trust.

While we thank of our long serving WTA Partners – North Gong Hotel, Multi Civil and Rail, BaiMed, Struddys, Grill’d Wollongong, Upside Finance, Dignam Real Estate, McDonald’s Illawarra and Acorn Lawyers and thank them for their continued supports.

We are pleased to announce our teams for the 2022 i98fm Wollongong Touch Premier League which taps on Monday September 5 and we wish them the best of luck.

i98 WTA Premier League Men’s Teams