The Sunshine Coast is providing talent and training facilities for Australia’s senior mixed touch team as it prepares for an international competition.
The over-30s team, which features five locals, will hone their skills at a camp at Coolum Beach this weekend, ahead of the Asia Pacific Seniors Touch Cup in Japan in October.
Four members hail from the Coolum Bluefins Touch Association. They include Kelly Goodwin, Cassie Vincitorio, coach Danny Goodwin and manager Peter Feldman. The team also features Justin Otto, from the Kawana Snappers.
The team has multiple family connections, including Danny and his daughter Kelly, and Peter and his daughter Cassie, along with brothers Matthew and Nicholas Bale from New South Wales.
Danny Goodwin said the Coolum camp would play a vital role in preparing the team for the APSTC, which will be held in Utsunomiya from October 7-10.
“Representing Australia is a privilege that every member of this squad has earned through years of dedication to our sport,” he said.
“Bringing the team together at Coolum is an important first step as we prepare to compete against the best teams in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Kelly Goodwin said wearing the green and gold was an honour she would never take for granted.
“Every Australian jersey tells a different individual journey, but together we represent far greater than ourselves,” she said.
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Cassie Vincitorio said representing Australia reflected years of hard work and commitment.
“The Australian jersey represents every sacrifice, every challenge and every dream,” she said.
Justin Otto said he was proud to take to the field for his country Australia and his hometown.
“Representing Australia is a tremendous honour. I’m proud to represent the Sunshine Coast and everyone who has supported me throughout my touch football journey.”
Peter Feldman said the Sunshine Coast should be proud of its contribution to touch football.
“To have five Sunshine Coast representatives selected for Australia, while also hosting our first national training camp here at Coolum, is something our entire community can celebrate,” he said.
“It reflects the quality of players, coaches, volunteers and clubs we have on the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s also incredibly special to share this Australian journey with my daughter, while seeing another father and daughter, as well as two brothers, representing Australia together.
“Those family connections make this campaign one that everyone involved will remember.”
The team will complete a second national training camp at Palm Beach on September 12-13, before departing for Japan in early October.
