It is a milestone year for touch football in Wellington with 2017 marking 45 years of the sport being played at a local level.
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The Wellington Touch Football Club was established on November 11, 1973.
Big name players have taken to Kennard Park over the four decades including Mousey Boden, Garry Forrest, Bernie Burke, Terry “Redfern Express” Fahey, Ronnie McCarney, Dave “Magpie” Mills, Allan Fahey and many more.
Over the years the competition has produced teams that have gone on to participate in the State Cup, Country Championships, town challenges and metro carnivals. Teams have been successful in wining country titles and NSWCHS.
Homegrown talent continues to arise from the club four decades on with the likes of Wellington Primary School students who were successful in making NSWPSSA semi-finals with the assistance of coach Trent Forrest.
St Mary’s Central School have also been in the spotlight after winning regional carnivals and continuing onto the NSW regional finals, coached by Al Thompson.
It is a history club president Graham Blackhall encourages the Wellington community to be a part of as the club invites current and past members to celebrate the milestone.
Mr Blackhall said it was made possible with the guidance of a range of officials.
They included Royden Griffin, Don Green, Ryans, Rankmores and the Richards, and many other families who have contributed to the legacy of touch football in Wellington.
The focus continues to be on providing initiatives for players, volunteers and officials in the upcoming summer competition.
“The club will also look at creating teams with very similar names as from 45 years ago,” Mr Blackhall said.
“Discussion of new ideas with creating an option of a foundation for pathway to support youth with lowering the age range and increase parents participation in this wonderful sport, touch football.”
The club endeavors to field senior teams at the NSW Country Championship to be played at Dubbo, as well as teams to participate at the Don Green Western Junior Hornets Championships and gala days scheduled for Wellington.
Plans to enter junior and senior teams into the Aboriginal Touch Football Carnival held at Dubbo in November are also in the making.
