The Orange Thunder Touch Football club recently took the Wagga Junior State Cup Southern Conference by storm.

With a number of strong performances by all teams including under 10’s, 12’s 14’s, 16’s and 18’s boys and girls. As the under 18 girls narrowly missed their opportunity to take out their grand final, the under 10’s boys were crowned the champs of their division. Which then took Orange Thunder to finish third overall in the Club Championship and were the best placed Country Affiliate at the Junior State Cup.

The under 10’s boys played 11 games over the three-day carnival, scoring an incredible 80 tries and only letting in nine, the entire time. Their grand final match up was against Cronulla Sharks to which they won 2-0, going through the entire carnival undefeated.

Under 10’s Orange Thunder boys coach, James Dean explained, “It was a credit to their defence, they all had their roles and they executed them incredibly. They were outstanding,” he echoed.

“The boys were really nervous before the grand final because we were undefeated, and the Sharks were undefeated as well. Once they got into the game and realised, ‘ok, we’re as good as these guys,’ they started playing really good touch footy and they defended their backsides off.

James continued, “We got the first try- (which means they scored 3 points). There is a fair bit of pressure on you to score that first try, and when the final buzzer went, they were very happy, jumping and cheering and carrying on and so were the parents,” added James, “The parents have ridden the wave with us so it’s very satisfying for everyone involved.

“The boys just deserved all of the success that they got.”

This was the third year James has coached the boys, he started with them when they were in under 8’s. “You go from your first training session as under 8’s, versus what we finished with at State Cup- they were worlds apart,” James laughed.

“The progression that they have all made is a credit to them, and their parents would have seen how they have developed over the past three years as well. And it hasn’t just been me, I’ve had assistant coaches in and have had plenty of help.

“I have to thank Dan Agland who was my Assistant Coach, Reagan Dunn our Manager and under 18’s boys Jack Cole and Dylan Ryan, they help to put in a better structure for the boys, they are a massive reason why they went so well. Also, a big shout out to Orange Touch Association Committee members including Rep directors Wayne Hill and Joel Begnell, they are excellent to work with and make it as successful as it is.”

What an effort! Well done Orange Thunder.

Orange Thunder Boys Under 10

Billy Dean Zac Robinson
Judd Zinga Jack Spagnolo
Fletcher Morgan Alexander Paine
Jake Fitzpatrick Gus Agland
Archie Markwick Charlie Nell