CITY of Orange Touch Association president Cathy Goodlock is confident the future of touch football in Orange is bright after a whopping increase of 32 junior sides for the 2015-16 season.
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Up from the 64 sides registered to play last summer, a massive 96 teams will contest the under 10, under 12 and under 14 premierships kicking off on Wednesday, October 7 at 4.30pm at Waratahs Sportsground - and judging on the sheer volume of teams, there won’t be a spare field in sight.
“I don’t know what it is ... maybe there was a baby boom.” Goodlock laughed.
“We’ve changed the structure of the juniors. We’ve gone from running (under) 9s, 10s, 11s and 12s to just 10s, 12s and 14s this year.
“It’s been a real positive for us heading into the new season.”
Goodlock said numbers for the mixed and women’s open competition was steady on those of last year, but the men’s competition has taken a participation hit with 15 fewer sides nominating for next Thursday’s opening day.
In total, five sides - Sultanas For Smoko, The Jerry Stingers, How I Stepped Your Mother, Robin Hood-lums and Blues Clues - will contest the men’s division one competition.
In the women’s top division, David Reid Homes, Bissy’s, Blayney Bearettes, Haviannas, Shenanigans, Whatever It Takes, Whitey’s Tries and Dance HQ make up the eight-team premiership.
While in COTA’s mixed division one, David Reid Homes, Thunderbirds Are Go, New Recruits, The Big Doggs and Lunatics On Pogo Sticks will vie for the top prize throughout the 2015-16 Tuesday night competition, which begins on October 6.