Young star: Joss Church will represent Victoria in May.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
Joss Church should be competing against Australia’s best young touch football talent right now.
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Church, 16, from Shepparton, was selected in the Victorian Storm Male 20s touch football team for the National Touch League, initially pencilled in for March 9-12.
However, due to the venue Coffs Harbour receiving heavy rain, the tournament has been moved, now beginning on May 4.
Yet, Church has not let the setback dampen his spirits.
“My whole team was ready, packed and ready to go and then unfortunately we got the news,” Church said.
The squad was told the news of the cancellation at 9pm — the day before it was scheduled to leave — however, the setback will only make them better.
“I’ll be training every weekend with the team, mostly Saturday and Sunday, and if I can make it down (to Melbourne) on a weekday maybe, so 2-3 times a week hopefully,” he said.
As one of only two players from regional Victoria in the team, Church represents a large part of the state and says he is thankful for the opportunity.
“I definitely feel pleased to have the opportunity to train, but also play with the Melbourne kids who have been playing it most of their life,” he said.
“So I’m very pleased and thankful for the opportunity.
“I’ll always love to play touch, my whole life if I can, but for now I’d like to see myself keep progressing, especially keeping in the under-20s and hopefully making the men’s open touch team for Victoria.”
In late February, Church competed in the 2022 Junior State Cup, playing on the wing and scoring five tries for a Harlequins team that finished runner-up in the under-18 final.
He was not the only player from the Shepparton region at this event, with 13-year-old Zahlia Kautai participating in the under-14 and under-18 girls’ competitions for the Harlequins.
Talented family: Kaokao Kautai, with his daughters Zahlia Kautai (13, back), Aroha Kautai (9, front left) and Tennile Kautai (11, front right).
Photo by
Aydin Payne
Kautai played incredibly well throughout the tournament, with her under-14 and under-18 sides taking out the title, with Kautai named player of the tournament in the under-14s.
Kautai’s two sisters also participated in the cup, with Tennile and Aroha taking out the under-12 competition.
The girls’ father, Kaokao, is also a touch footballer and was set to coach the Victorian 40s team in the now postponed national touch event.
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