Touch football’s greatest rivalry and showpiece event, State of Origin, will be played at Redcliffe this weekend (November 9-10).
Queensland Touch Football Chief Executive Officer Ben Mannion announced the series would be played at Dolphin Stadium earlier this year, in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council and Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League Club.
Queensland will take on New South Wales in a three-game series across 14 divisions, culminating in the main event – the Men’s and Women’s Open series.
Read >> Queensland Touch name State of Origin teams
Mannion said the QTF Board had considered a number of host locations, with Redcliffe being the standout choice.
“We are delighted to bring our showpiece event to Redcliffe and the Moreton Bay region in 2018,” he said at the announcement.
“Dolphin Stadium offers top-class facilities, and we are confident the players and spectators will thoroughly enjoy their State of Origin experience.”
- All stadium games livestreamed on the Queensland Touch Facebook page.
Council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation Spokesperson Councillor Koliana Winchester said she couldn’t wait for Dolphin Stadium and the Moreton Bay Region to host the thrilling state-against-state, mate-against-mate affair.
“We’re no stranger to hosting top-flight footy, coming off the success of the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship, and with the Redcliffe Dolphins heading into this year’s Intrust Super Cup as hot favourites,” Cr Winchester said.
“Dolphin Stadium has proven itself up to the challenge when hosting top-class sporting events. And with the second stage of the stadium upgrade nearing completion, it will be the perfect venue for Touch Football’s State of Origin come November.
“State of Origin always brings out the most thrilling of spectacles, and as a footy mad community, we’re very excited.”
Cr Winchester said the two-day tournament would inject more than $1 million into the local economy as more than 1400 competitors, officials and spectators descend on Moreton Bay and Dolphin Stadium.
“Not only are sporting events like this a great chance for footy fans to sink their teeth into some great competition, they’re also a brilliant chance for visitors to experience the sights, sounds and tastes we have to offer.
“We might be rivals with New South Wales on the field, but we’re definitely mates off the field, and we can’t wait to share our hospitality and region with the New South Wales teams and spectators. Who knows, we might even convince a few of them to move north of the border too.”
There will be a number of familiar faces on show for rugby league fans, with FOG 143 Scott Prince and Queensland Women’s Origin player Chelsea Baker amongst the names to be suiting up.
STATE OF ORIGIN 2018: BY THE NUMBERS
- When: November 9-10
- 650 players and officials
- 14 Divisions
- 42 games
- 5 fields
*This first appeared on the Queensland Touch Football website
