Wollongong TA has finished 2017 NSWTA State Cup on a high, qualifying for quarterfinals in two of 3 divisions contested. The 3-day tournament saw the regrading of 2 former Devils representative referees, as NSWTA outlined future plans for the Junior and Senior State Cup hosting rights.

NSWTA Senior State Cup will remain in Port Macquarie until at least 2022 after NSWTA announced next year’s Championships, the 30th consecutive installment in the town, will start a new 5-year hosting agreement.

Port Macquarie will also host the Northern Conference of the new-look Junior State Cup from 2019-2021, as NSWTA opens the door for a potential return to Wollongong.

As the Junior State Cup continues to grow, from 2019 the event will be split into a Northern and Southern Conference with a State Final. One major announcement still to be made is where the Southern Conference will be held.

“There are many new venues who have put their hand up for the event, some of which we have not seen before. As this will be a first, we need to ensure we get the decision right. That means there are due diligence checks we need to undertake on all tender applications before making a decision and announcement for the Southern Conference.” NSWTA General Manager Dean Russell told the NSWTA website.

“While we know people will want to know where the venue is, we are not going to rush the decision. We want to make sure we get it right. The Southern Conference is imperative to the development pathways for affiliates in the South and South West of the State. Hence this decision is extremely important and why we need to take our time to make the right one.” he added. A decision on the location is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2018.

By then, the 3 Devils teams and 8 referees will have recovered from yet another successful State Cup showing, where the Men’s Open A and Men’s Open B teams made quarterfinals. The Women’s Open A side narrowly missed out on playoffs, but knocked off powerhouses Western Suburbs Magpies and Canterbury Bulldogs on a big weekend of rebuilding.

Two former Wollongong Devils referees also joined the NSW Touch Graded Referees ranks. Steph Webster and Steve Mann.

Congratulations to all teams, and we look forward to another big year in 2018.

2017 NSWTA State Cup results

Women’s Open A

  • Defeated by Central Coast Dolphins 4-1
  • Defeated by Easts Roosters 10-3
  • Defeated Murwillumbah Mavericks 6-4
  • Defeated Newcastle Knights 4-3
  • Defeated Penrith Panthers 8-0
  • Defeated Canterbury Bulldogs 6-5
  • Defeated by Manly Sea Eagles 10-1
  • Defeated Japan 10-4
  • Defeated Western Suburbs Magpies 3-2
  • Defeated by Northern Suburbs Bears 4-2

Jessica McCall was named Players Player.

Men’s Open A

  • Drew with Bankstown Jets 4-all
  • Defeated by Parramatta Eels 3-2
  • Defeated Hornsby Lions 4-1
  • Defeated by Doyalson Dragons 6-3
  • Defeated Japan 8-4
  • Defeated Ryde Eastwood Hawks 9-4
  • Defeated by Penrith Panthers 4-3 in a 3-man drop off to bow out in quarterfinals.

Men’s Open B

  • Drew with Musswelbrook Mambas 5-all
  • Defeated Balmain Tigers 7-1
  • Defeated Culburra Beach 9-4
  • Defeated by Wagga Wagga Vipers 5-4
  • Defeated Canterbury Bulldogs 4-3
  • Defeated Manly Sea Eagles 4-2
  • Defeated by UNSW Bullets 6-4
  • Defeated by Parramatta Eels 8-6 to bow out in quarterfinals.

Vaughan Winnel named Players Player.