As you would be aware, the NSWTA recently conducted an engagement piece with our community on the structure of the Junior State Cup.
The result was that the structure would remain as a Northern and Southern Conference with a State Final for 2022 and 2023.
Following this engagement, the NSWTA went to tender for Northern and Southern Conference venues.
We received a total of seven (7) tenders, four (4) for the Northern Conference – Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Dubbo, Port Macquarie – and three (3) for the Southern Conference – Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong.
When considering each tender, the NSWTA measures against several criteria, those being:
• Affiliate Support
• Accessibility
• Accommodation
• Adequate number of Fields
• Adequate Affiliate tent area capacity
• Availability
• Car Parking
• Catering capacity
• Infrastructure
(e.g., Changerooms, Referee Area, Medical Area, Tournament Area, Clubroom facilities, PA System, Stadium, Crowd Control, Portable Stands, Toilet Facilities, Additional shelter)
• LGA support and contribution
• Marketing and Promotional assistance
• Risk Management
• Spectator access
• Traffic Management support
(e.g., TM Plan, Support, Shuttle Bus options)
• Venue cleaning
• Waste Management service
As can be understood, finding venues for events of this size and satisfying all criteria can be challenging. However, the NSWTA Board and staff were impressed by the quality of tenders and the level of interest in the NSWTA Junior State Cup.
In considering all tenders against the criteria, the following decisions have been approved by the Board.
The Southern Conference will be held at Jubilee Park Wagga Wagga from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th February 2022 and Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February 2023.
The Northern Conference will be held at the Regional Stadium and Tuffins Lane Port Macquarie from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th February 2022 and Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February 2023.
It is important to note that this signals a swapping of weekends for Northern and Southern Conferences. This will allow for greater accessibility to accommodation in Wagga Wagga.
Also, note that the NSWTA has contacted both LGAs requesting that they reach out to all their accommodation providers to have existing bookings recognised for the date change.
For Accommodation Information please contact:
Southern Conference
Fiona Hamilton Visitor Economy & Events Coordinator
Email – Hamilton.Fiona@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Phone 6926 9627 Mobile 0447 154 605
Northern Conference
www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID environment please note that no second or development teams will be accepted.
For those affiliates wishing to select such teams, we would encourage their participation in the numerous gala days and events held in the lead-up by affiliates and regions.
The divisions to be played will be as 2021, that is U/10s, U/12s, U14s, U16s, and U/18s.
State Finals are planned to be in Sydney on Sunday 6th March 2022 and Sunday 5th March 2023.
They will remain in the format put in place for 2021. Winners only of each division, in each conference, will progress to play a three-game series to determine the State Champion.
Indeed, we hope to be in an environment not impacted by COVID-19 regulations and Public Health Orders that may determine restrictions concerning the delivery of the event. We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the State, NSW Health, the Office of Sport and Sport NSW.
We will communicate any future recommendations, changes to COVID-19 Safety Plans, or Public Health Orders impacting our sport and specifically these events.
Best wishes and stay safe.
