Formally the Metropolitan Touch Football Association (MTFA) 1979 – 1987

Before that the South Queensland Touch Football Association (SQTFA) 1974 – 1978

Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association is the oldest and largest touch football association in the world, currently averaging local competitions of 350 adult teams and 420 junior teams per season (2 seasons pa).

In 1987, Metropolitan Touch Association amalgamated with the other major association in Brisbane – the Brisbane Touch Association – to become Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association.

See also: BMTA : Founders and Life Members , Foundation Clubs , BMTA Premiers history

Click here for years list

• 1974 – _8 teams
• 1975 – 12 teams
• 1976 – 24 teams
• 1977 – 36 teams
• 1978 – 43 teams
• 1979 – 57 teams + 12 women’s
• 1980 – 60 teams + 16 women’s
• 1981 – 70 teams + 20 women’s
• 1982 – 70 teams + 23 women’s
• 1983 – 72 teams + 27 women’s
• 1984 – 89 teams + 30 women’s
• 1985 – 120 teams
• 1986 – ___ ~ teams
• 1987 – ___ teams
• 1988 – ___ teams
• 1989 – ___ teams
• 1990 – 258 teams
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995 – 626 teams
• 1996 – 596 teams
• 1997 – 562 teams
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002 – 632 teams
• 2003 – 634 teams
• 2004 – 706 teams
• 2005 – 722 teams
• 2006 – 760 teams
• 2007 – 794 teams
• 2008 – 766 teams
• 2009 – 788 teams
• 2010 – 858 teams
• 2011 – 852 teams
• 2012 – 838 teams
• 2013 – 799 teams
• 2014 – 742 teams
• 2015 – 745 teams
• 2016 – 780 teams
• 2017 – 686 teams
• 2018 – 700 teams
• 2019 – 675 teams
• 2020 – 703 teams
• 2021 – 810 teams
• 2022 – 801 teams
• 2023 – 789 teams
• All time

1974 – _8 teams

The establishment the previous year of the Brisbane Touch Football Assoc (BTFA) by older rugby league players attracted an amount of media interest and in its second year of operation in 1974 looked liked attracting a rapidly increasing following.

However, the BTFA had a rule that players had to be 25 years or older to participate. This may seem odd these days when the game is played in schools in junior, women’s and mixed competitions. It may best be understood by considering the source of players for this new sport. Most of the teams comprised former rugby league players and were an offshoot of Brisbane rugby league clubs. The game was considered only for retired league players who because of age or injury could no longer play contact sport. At the time touch was not perceived as an alternative to the various football codes or any other sport.

In view of this attitude, the young upstarts who attempted to seek admission to the BTFA at its 1974 AGM (at the Melbourne hotel in West End) were not well received by the majority of those present. It was made very plain that there was no place for them in their association at that time.

Leigh Barker, Alwyn Griffin, John Leahy, Russell Mowles, John Walck and Greg Mallory left the meeting and stood outside looking at each other until someone said “Lets start our own competition.” Names and telephone numbers were exchanged, a meeting time and place organised and the South Queensland Touch Football Association (SQTFA) was born.

Amid the new organisation, everything was done on a fairly informal basis. At this stage there was no competition or elected committee. Each team provided a representative to attend meetings and it was decided to make the running of the competition as easy and cheap as possible. In the early stages, this worked very well.

For the first three years, SQTFA was managed by a committee which consisted of one representative from each of the first eight teams. Russell Mowles acted as secretary and Leigh Barker as treasurer.

The eight (men’s) teams which played in the first year and their representatives on the SQTFA committee were

Team	Contact	Colours
Dairy Cows	Leigh Barker	Green and white
Black Scum (Stumps)	Alwyn Griffin	Black
United	Russell Mowles	Yellow and black shorts
Hawks	John Leahy	Red and white stripes
Medicos	John Walck	Orange
Metros	Don Bateson	Pink
George St Giants	Chris Stephens	Light Blue
Chalkees	Peter Ridgewell	Red and white shorts

(Chalkees joined the competition after the first round)

The first match day for SQTFA was on the 17 March 1974 at the Balmoral State High School grounds. Teams started at 9:00, 10:05 and 11:10 am on Sunday morning – 2×30 min halves, 8-a-side, no shoes, shorts and singlets, on a rough rugby field (100m x 70m). All games for the first season were played at Balmoral. Three rounds (6,7,7) – 20 games in all.

The first games

The first fixtures were set down for Sunday 10 March 1974. However rain had persisted in the weeks after the Australia Day floods of 1974 and in the preceding week it was particularly heavy. Sunday duly arrived with much localised flooding and fixtures were cancelled.

On the following Sunday, six teams gathered at Balmoral High School to play the first games of the fledgling association. In the first match Dairy Cows narrowly defeated Medicos 10 to 8. George St. Giants then gave United a thrashing 19 to 4, while Black Stumps put on a dazzling performance to beat Hawks 14 to 4. Metros had the bye. The referees were Col Clark and Tony Stolar who shared a game and a half each.

Black Stumps and Dairy Cows quickly established themselves as the dominant teams. Black Stumps played with style and pace. Dairy Cows were better organised and more professional; they trained and wore numbers on their shirts.

Chalkees joined the competition at the beginning of the second round and quickly made their mark with a 28-1 victory over Metros. Their late entry to the competition prevented them from accumulating enough points to make the final four.

Black Stumps were minor premiers and Dairy Cows runners-up. Medico and Hawks, both competent sides capable of upsets on their day, were the others to make the final four. George St. Giants, United and Metros were outclassed in their first season.

The semi-final went to Black Stumps 13-10. Medicos beat Hakes 11-10 in the other semi-final but lost to Dairy Cows 11-5 in the preliminary final.

The first grand final was won by Dairy Cows, defeating Black Scum 12-10.

Black Stumps (name changed) were also minor premiers, winning 18 of their 20 games. Only one draw occurred during the season between Dairy Cows and Hawkes.

United and Metros played for the wooden spoon, the game ending in a draw, each team only winning two games for the season.

The referee, as he was for most of the season’s games, was Col Clark, and for many years to come. The SQTFA owes a great deal to Col Clark who officiated as referee for most of the games in those early days.

On the 12 May 1974, perhaps the greatest loss in the history of touch was inflicted on Metros by Chalkees, 28 – 1. (Which Bateson scored the 1 for Metros is debated to this day)

1975 – 12 teams

1975 saw 12 men’s teams compete in the one division over only two rounds, 22 game at two fields, Toowong High School grounds being the new field. Games were played from 2nd Mar to 14 Sep.

The new teams were:

• Stone Rangers John Houghton
• Octal 10 Dave Sherwood
• Ubiquity S. Courtney
• Toowong N. Walker

In the grand final at Toowong, Stone Rangers defeated Chalkees 9 -3 and the referee was Col Clark.

The first AGM was held on 27 Nov 1975. A management committee was created:

• Russell Mowles, Leigh Barker, Peter Ridgewell, John Leahy, Gavin Bateson, John Driver.
  • After some discussion, Gavin Bateson chaired the meeting.

Referees were to be paid $4 per game next year.

1976 – 24 teams

1976 saw 24 teams compete in two divisions and two rounds.

The new teams were:

• Dodgers John Bardsley
• Rabbits Don Travers
• Gazelles Peter Philipson
• Savages John Mangan
• Cleveland Cannons Peter Meagher
• Dragons John Shirley
• Eagles Paul Hodges
• Untouchables N. Walker
• Lorikeets Jeff Redshaw
• Kedron Kannibals Graham Tobin
• Flamingos John McDonald
• Wild Colonials Gavin Bateson

Referees for 1976 were:

• Col Clark, Dennis McEvery, Mal Grierson, Norm Walker, Patrick Hoiberg, Lawrence McGregor-Lowndes

The touch rules were updated.

• In the first division grand final Lorikeets defeated Ubiquity 8 -6.
• In the second division final Cleveland Canons defeated Octal 10 4-3.

Unfortunately, Wild Colonials finished with the wooden spoon (last), only winning one game for the season.

1977 – 36 teams

1977 saw 36 teams compete in three divisions over two rounds.

The grand finals results were:

• Div 1 : Ubiquity defeated Lorikeets 5-3
• Div 2 : Flames defeated Cleveland Cannons
• Div 3 : Toowong defeated Rainworth Rockets

1977 – Representative teams

In 1977, SQTFA selected the first representative team of the Association to play Brisbane Touch Football Association.

This first men’s representative team was:

Leigh Barker (c) (Dairy Cows), Barry Courtney (vc) (Ubiquity), Stephen Courtney (Ubiquity), Brett Hay (Rainworth Rockets), John Saxon (Stone Rangers), Paul Grieve (Dairy Cows), Peter Cook (Lorikeets), Ray Turner (Stone Rangers), Terry Jacks (Dairy Cows), David Walker (Pumas), Paul Shipperly (Dragons),  Brian Mason (Villaroos), with John Leahy as the manager.

The team played the Brisbane Touch Football side on 30th July 1977 scoring an impressive 9 – 7 victory.

1978 – 43 teams

The year saw 43 teams compete in four divisions and six school grounds were required to host the Sunday morning games.

Management Committee:

• President : Mal Grierson
• David Purvis, Russell Mowles, Leigh Barker, Peter Ridgewell, Gary Small, John Driver, John Leahy, John Bardsley (public relations, Col Clark (referees)

The first fixture book was printed, and regular newsletters were published.

SQTFA First newsletter May 1978

Referees started to enforce more rigorously the “passing after the touch” rule which players were still coming to terms with.

The men’s grand-final results were:

• 1^st division:     Chalkees defeated Dragons 5-4
• 2^nd division:    Villaroos defeated Toowong 8-5
• 3^rd division:    Nudgee Nobs defeated White Knights 4-0
• 4^th division:     Untouchables defeated Tesco Tigers 9-4

Also, in 1977-78, six teams competed in the first summer night fixtures.

The representative matches continued with SQTFA competing against Brisbane Touch Football Association, Toowoomba, Redcliffe and Western Suburbs. SQTFA fielded two men’s teams, a 1^st and 2^nd. Against Brisbane, SQTFA 1sts drew 7 all, and the 2nds won 10-2.

At a Toowoomba knockout carnival a SQTFA side, Flames claimed a historic win over the famous Macgregoroos team from the Brisbane Touch Football Association, wining 4-3 and pocketing $500 prize money as well.

John Bardsley, the public relations officer for SQTFA, promoted the sport of touch football through an interview with a local radio station, 4QR.

The association’s trophy night was held on the 23^rd September at Souths Rugby Leagues Club at West End.

It was later in this year that the SQTFA changed its name to the Metropolitan Touch Football Association (MTFA) so that the regional competition could use the South East Queensland Association name.

Also, in 1978, a referee’s association was formed with Col Clark as president, Pat Hoiberg as secretary and John Driver as treasurer. There were 28 referees available in 1978.

1979 – 57 teams + 12 women’s

Brisbane Metropolitan Women’s touch football began on 20^th May 1979.

The first women’s teams were:

Dairy Maids, S.G.I.O., Road Runners, Dodgers, Sunnybank Streakers, Eagles, Villarettes, API 1, API 2, Chalkees, Octal 10, Carreras.

The first women’s grand final was won by Dairy Maids who beat S.G.I.O.

This year saw a proper management committee established. The first committee members were:

• Patron:                         Lionel Mowles
• President:                    Mal Grierson (Toowong)
• Vice-president:           David Purvis (Chalkees)
• Secretary:                   Russell Mowles (United)
• Treasurer:                   Don Bateson (Metros)
• Referees delegate:      Col Clark
• PR officer:                  John Bardsley (Dodgers)
• General delegates:      Peter Ridgewell (Chalkees) ,John Driver (Octal 10), John Leahy (Hawkes)

Life Member awarded : Russell Mowles and Col Clark

Detailed Rules were established :

MTFA-Rules-1979-all-pages

1979 saw the first pre-season competition – the John Mallory Memorial knockout competition. The final was won by Country Club who beat Flames.

In the men’s competition, 57 teams were split into five divisions.

The men’s grand-final results were:

• 1^st division:     Chalkees defeated Country Club
• 2^nd division:    Eagles defeated Nudgee Nobs
• 3^rd division:    Kenmore Kamikazes defeated Underdogs
• 4^th division:     Bad Company defeated Allstars
• 5^th division:     Carreras defeated Extremists

In the summer competition final, Bad Company defeated United.

On the representative scene, the regional association, SEQTFA, fielded a team to play NSW on the 17^th Mar 1979. Two players from MTFA, Paul Grieve and Paul Shipperley were picked to play. The SQTFA upset the NSW side, 4-2.

Intercity touch continued with MTFA fielding two teams. In the opening game against Ipswich, the 1sts won 5-2 and the 2nds won 4-2. In subsequent games against Toowoomba, Nambour and Gold Coast the two teams were unbeaten.

MTFA fielded a women’s representative team to play Gold Coast on 21^st July. 30 girls trialled and the team managed a write-up in the local paper.

The MTFA women’s team had a comfortable win over the Gold Coast.

In a playoff of the two Brisbane associations, MTFA premiers, Chalkees defeated the BTFA premiers Macgregoroos.

Around this time the Public Service also ran a touch competition. Over the years many of the players who started in the public service competition shifted over to the stronger Metropolitan Touch competition and became great players. Players like Morey Creed, Greg Young, Kev Hickey and Garry Newcombe are examples of such.

1980 – 60 teams + 16 women’s

60 Men’s teams were split over 6 divisions and 16 women’s teams were split over 2 divisions.

• Patron:                       Lionel Mowles
• President:                   David Purvis
• Vice-president:           Mal Grierson
• Secretary:                   Russell Mowles
• Treasurer:                   Don Bateson
• Referees delegate:      Peter Mandrusiak
• PR officer:                  John Bardsley
• General delegates:      Bob Grunden, John Driver, John Leahy

Life Member awarded : Gary Balkin, Leigh Barker and Vince Morrison

The men’s grand-final results were:

• 1^st division:     Eagles defeated Untouchables
• Reserve grade:       Flames defeated United
• 2^nd division:    Wildcats defeated Bad Company
• 3^rd division:    Carreras defeated Allstars
• 4^th division:     Termights defeated Breakaways
• 5^th division:     Accountables defeated Banyo Boys

In the summer competition final, United defeated Macgregoroos.

The women’s grand-final result was: 1^st division:     API defeated Dairy Maids

1981 – 70 teams + 20 women’s

60 Men’s teams were split over 6 divisions and 16 women’s teams were split over 2 divisions.

• Patron:                       Lionel Mowles
• President:                   Russell Mowles
• Vice-president:           David Purvis
• Secretary:                   Morey Creed, Lorraine Kreis
• Treasurer:                   John Driver
• Referees delegate:      Dennis Baker
• PR officer:                  John Hodge
• General delegates:     Col Blundell, John Bardsley

• The men’s grand-final results were:
  • 1^st division:     Country Club defeated Eagles 1-0
  • Reserve grade:       Eagles defeated United
  • B grade                 Saints defeated Eagles
  • 2^nd division:    Carreras defeated Ubiquity
  • 3^rd division:    Breakaways defeated Charges
  • 4^th division:     Wynnum Sea Eagles defeated Rabbitohs
  • 5^th division:     Bardon Bulldogs defeated Kedron SOB
• The women’s grand-final results were:
  • 1^st division:     Dairy Maids defeated API
  • 2^nd division:    Mayne Flyers defeated Carreras
• Summer
  • Wednesday night competition final, United defeated Macgregoroos.
  • Thursday night north competition final, Eagles defeated Breakaways.
  • Thursday night south competition final, Rabbitohs defeated Barbarians.

1982 – 70 teams + 23 women’s

70 Men’s teams were split over  7 divisions and 23 women’s teams were split over 3 divisions.

• President : Russell Mowles
• Committee : David Purvis, Leigh Barker, Morey Creed, Lorraine Kries, John Driver, Col Blundell, John Bardsley
• Administrator : Allan Dunn

Life Member awarded : Jim Schaumberg and Lionel Mowles

1983 – 72 teams + 27 women’s

• Patron:                       David Purvis
• President:                   Russell Mowles
• Vice-president:           Peter Ridgewell, John Bardsley
• Secretary:                   Morey Creed, Lorraine Kreis
• Treasurer:                   John Driver
• Referees delegate:      Dennis Baker
• PR officer:                  John Hodge
• General delegates:     Col Blundell, David Brown

Life Member awarded : Wayne Daley

1984 – 89 teams + 30 women’s

• Patron:                       John Leahy
• President:                   Russell Mowles
• Vice-president:           Peter Ridgewell, Don MacPherson
• Secretary:                   Morey Creed, Lorraine Kreis
• Treasurer:                   John Driver
• General committee:     Alan Gordon, David Brown
• Administrator : Allan Dunn

Life Member awarded : Terry Jacks and Neil Baumber

1985 – 120 teams

1986 – ___ ~ teams

Life Member awarded : Peter Ridgewell and John Driver

1986 saw several Men’s and Women’s BMTA players represent Australia in the Trans Tasman test series with New Zealand. A summary of the tour can be found in a YouTube video : Australia v New Zealand 1986. Terry Jacks, Greg Young, Peter Spargo, Terry Hutchinson, Michael Burke, Mark Giebel, Donna Jacks, Kerry Norman, Sue McWhirter.

1987 – ___ teams

In 1987, Brisbane Touch Association amalgamated with Metropolitan Touch Association to become Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association (BMTA). Till then, both associations had been competing with each other for dominance in the Brisbane touch market. At the time of amalgamation, MTA had more teams and a younger player group than BTA. Since their foundation, both associations had conducted touch fixtures at venues owned or leased by various other sports organisations such as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules, soccer, hockey and cricket. Because of the wear and tear on fields caused by playing touch, both associations were having trouble maintaining regular venues.

BTA applied for a lease of land at Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill, but council would not give it to one association on its own. Peter Ridgewell (MTA) and Reg Barr (BTA), Presidents of their respective associations, got together and devised a plan to amalgamate both associations into Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association and apply for a lease, which was granted in 1988.

BMTA subsequently constructed a clubhouse and installed lighting and irrigation on seven touch fields at Whites Hill and conducted fixtures from that venue as the home of touch in Brisbane.

The BMTA touch specific fields, lights, and clubhouse were built over the top of an inner city rubbish tip, thanks to the Brisbane City Council (BCC) and a federal grant. Over time, the fields subsided resulting in uneven surfaces, This became a constant maintenance issue. The BCC has continued in supporting BMTA re this issue.

In the late 2010s, this clubhouse was deemed to be unsafe due to an excess of methane rising from the old dump. In July 2022 with the support of local and federal governments, a new offices were built. (see 2022 below). Unfortunately, the donation plaques were lost in the clubhouse rebuild.

1988 – ___ teams

The first competitions started under the new name : BMTA.

1989 – ___ teams

Life Member awarded : Morey Creed

1990 – 258 teams

1991

1992

Life Member awarded : Barry Keegan

1993

Financial: Government grant of $170,000 received against building of the new clubhouse.

1994

• President : Peter Ridgewell
• Committee: Vince Morrison, Paige Ridgewell, Ross Bateson, Reg Barr, Ray Head, Leon Beddington
• Administrator : Morey Creed

World Masters – BMTA hosted Touch Football for the World Masters Games in October, The event went over 6 days and at the time, was the largest touch event ever undertaken. It was extremely successful – most of which was due to Morey Creed and staff.

In all, Brisbane hosted 27 sports, which attracted 24,000 competitors from 71 countries.

Life Member awarded : Reg Barr

Financial: Surplus $6,649 (Income $338,664) Note: $22,000 leasehold improvements was written off.

1995 – 626 teams

• President : Peter Ridgewell
• Committee: Vince Morrison, Paige Ridgewell, Ross Bateson, Reg Barr, Leon Beddington, Tony McKenna
• Administrator : Morey Creed

Financial: Deficit $147,328 (Income $459,410) Note: $142,000 leasehold improvements was written off.

1996 – 596 teams

• President : Peter Ridgewell
• Committee: Vince Morrison, Paige Ridgewell, Ross Bateson, Reg Barr, Leon Beddington, Gary Madders
• Administrator : Morey Creed

Financial: Surplus $27,551 (Income $398,220)

1997 – 562 teams

• President : Peter Ridgewell
• Committee: Gary Madders, Paige Ridgewell, Ross Bateson, Reg Barr, Susan Sanderson, Robert Ah Wing, Jamien Zimmerman, Phil Dawson
• Administrator : Morey Creed

Financial: Deficit $18,101 (Income $518,247)

Life Member awarded : Paige Ridgewell

1998

Financial: Surplus $25,471(Income $582,116)

1999

Life Member awarded : Gary Madders

Financial: Surplus $39,504 (Income $572,697)

2000

• President Jamien Zimmerman
• Surplus $33,000
• Team fees were cut

Financial: Surplus $33,352 (Income $528,234)

2001

• President Jamien Zimmerman (Reg Barr became Acting President when Jamien resigned mid-year)
• Administrator Michelle Fletcher
• Winners BMTA – Men:  Country Club United/Women: Country Club United
• Morey Creed departed after many years at BMTA

Financial: Deficit $52,101 (Income $458,710)

2002 – 632 teams

• President Simon Hausler
• Administrator Michelle Fletcher
• 7 fields reconstructed by BCC
• Played fixtures on cricket and soccer fields
• Winners SEQTL – Country Club United (Men), Country Club United (Women)
• Club Champions – Uni Rebels

Financial: Surplus $22,234 (Income $521,000)

2003 – 634 teams

• President Reg Barr
• Administrator Michelle Fletcher
• Teams – Winter 245 Senior, 54 Junior; Summer 240 Senior, 95 Junior
• Winners SEQTL – Redcliffe Colts (Men), Country Club United (Women)

Financial: Surplus $81,575 (Income $543,000)

2004 – 706 teams

• President Ken Willett
• Manager Matt Hall
• Competitions 5 nights a week
• Teams – Winter 256 Senior, 96 Junior; Summer 246 Senior, 131 Junior (Total 729)
• Winners SEQTL – Country Club United (Men), Country Club United (Women)
• Club Champions – Uni Rebels/Country Club United

Financial: Surplus $69,524 (Income $592,000)

2005 – 722 teams

• President Ken Willett (John Clark replaced Ken mid-term)
• Manager Matt Hall
• Teams turned away through insufficient playing fields
• Teams  – Winter: 210 Social, 45 Elite, 65 Junior; Summer 256 Social, 132 Junior (Total 722)
• Computerised communication with teams introduced
• Sub-lease entered into with Eastern Districts Junior Cricket Club to use fields
• Winners SEQTL – Men: Crushers/Women: Uni Rebels
• Club Champions – Uni Rebels

Financial: Surplus $47,859

Life Member awarded : Ross Bateson

2006 – 760 teams

• President John Clark
• Manager Matt Hall
• Teams – Winter 257 SEQTL 44 Junior 81; Summer 243 Junior 138 (Total760)
• Additional competition conducted at RNA (Showgrounds)
• Boys competition moved from Thursday to Friday night because too many teams
• Winners SEQTL – Men: Dodgers/Women: Country Club United
• Club Champions – Griffith Sharks
• Financial: Surplus $141,402

Life Member awarded : Peter Bell

2007 – 794 teams

• President Simon Hausler
• Manager Matt Hall
• Teams – Winter 248 SEQTL 84 Junior 84; Summer 273 Social, 143 Junior (Total 794)
• Additional competitions at Norman Park and Kedron
• Winners SEQTL – Men: Southern Storm/Women: Country Club United
• Club Champions – Southern Storm
• Financial: Surplus $99,913

2008 – 766 teams

• President Ross Bateson
• Manager Matt Hall
• Constitution changed to enable a Board of five members to supersede the former Committee
• Teams – Winter 245 Social, 44 SEQTL, 78 Junior: Summer 253 Social, 146 Junior (Total 766)
• A competition was played at Easts Rugby Union, Bottomley Park, Coorparoo
• BMTA took over administration of referees
• Winners Metro Cup – Men: Southern Storm/Women: Caboolture/Redcliffe Colts
• Club Champions Southern Storm
• Substitution boxes constructed on Field 1
• Groundsman responsible for maintaining touch, cricket and soccer fields
• Stairs constructed between touch and cricket fields
• Financial: Surplus $88,998

2009 – 788 teams

• Chairperson Ross Bateson
• General Manager Matt Hall
• Brisbane City Touch Association took over running of SEQTL
• Teams – Winter: 266 Social, 83 Junior; Summer: 280 Social, 159 Junior (Total 738)
• Winners BCTA Cup – Men: Colts/Women: Southern Storm
• (employment of Referee Manager and Apprentice Groundsman, increased affiliation fees, increased referee fees, expenditure on lights for cricket fields
• Financial: Deficit $58,000

2010 – 858 teams

• Chairperson Brendon Lester
• General Manager Matt Hall
• Teams – Winter 301 Social, 83 Junior; Summer 312 Social 203 Junior (Total 899)
• Competitions at Shaw Road, Kedron and Norman Park
• Fields 6 and 7 reconstructed by council
• All Schools competition washed out
• Financial: Deficit $37,000

2011 – 852 teams

• Chairperson David Witt
• General Manager Kathy Sweeney
• Teams – Winter: 290 Social, 100 Junior; Summer: 270 Social, 192 Junior (Total 852)
• Two competitions held in the same year, whereas previously there was a Winter season and a Summer season with a break for Christmas and finishing in January of the next year
• Competition at Shaw Road, Kedron
• Grandstand erected in front of clubhouse
• BCTA Cup – Mens: Uni Rebels def. ?
• Financial: Deficit $115,916

2012 – 838 teams

• Chairperson Sean Slinger
• General Manager Kathy Sweeney
• Teams – Season 1: Adult 244, Junior 118; Season 2: Adult 226, Junior 210, Metro Cup 40 (Total 838)
• Competitions at Shaw Road, Kedron and O’Grady Park, Fairfield
• Commencement of Men’s Over 30 division on Wednesday nights
• Team fees $1,250
• Coffee Shop opened
• BCTA Cup – Men: Uni Rebels def. ?
• Financial: Surplus $89,372

2013 – 799 teams

• Chairperson Sean Slinger
• General Manager Kathy Sweeney
• Teams – Season 1 Adult 232, Junior 115; Season 2 Adult 247 Junior 205 (Total 789)
• 40^th Anniversary Celebration of touch in Brisbane at Easts Rugby Leagues Club, Stones Corner
• Reg Barr retired as Head Groundsman after 10 years’ service as groundsman and 17 years on BMTA committee
• Metro Cup – Men: Uni Rebels def. ?
• Financial: Surplus $1,767

2014 – 742 teams

• Chairperson Sean Slinger
• General Manager Kathy Sweeney
• Teams – Season 1 Adult 179 Junior 111; Season 2 Adult 230, Junior 222 (Total 742)
• Financial: Deficit $164,000

2015 – 745 teams

• Chairperson Peter Kavanagh
• General Manager Kathy Sweeney
• Teams – Season 1 Adult 189, Junior 113; Season 2 Adult 220, Junior 223 (Total 745)
• Financial: Surplus $63,913

2016 – 780 teams

• Chairperson Peter Kavanagh
• Board: Nathan Manning, Andrew Greenup, Nicole Barker, Kristen White
• General Manager: Kathy Sweeny, Sean Slinger

Teams – Season 1 Adult 182 Junior 131; Season 2 Adult 252, Junior 252 (Total 780)

Financial: Surplus $156,205 (Income $1.38M)

2017 – 686 teams

• Chairperson Kristen White
• General Manager Sean Slinger/Jason Hemson
• Teams – Season 1 Adult 165, Junior 118; Season 2 Adult 181, Junior 222 (Total 686)
• Groundsman moved from underneath building to shipping container because of methane gas problem
• Mustangs Masters touch teams formed to compete at Casuarina Cup, Tweed Heads, and Pan Pacific Games, Gold Coast (John Clark primary organiser)

Financial: Deficit $18,804 (Income $1.16M)

2018 – 700 teams

• Chairperson Kristen White
• General Manager Jason Hemson
• Teams – Season 1 Adult 139, Junior 129; Season 2 Adult 199, Junior 233 (Total 700)
• All Schools carnival cancelled due to rain
• Metro Cup – Men: Gold Coast def. Redlands; Women: Uni Rebels def. CCU

Financial: Deficit $78,880 (Income $1.22M)

2019 – 675 teams

• Chairperson: Kristen White
• Board: Leanne Bauer, John Clark, Kate Spranklin, John Masters / Cor
• General Manager Jason Hemson/Chris Davis
• Teams – Season 1 Adult 141, Junior 124; Season 2 Adult 207, Junior 203 (Total 675)
• Ken Willett (Southern Storm) inducted as Life Member
• Metro Cup – Men: Uni Rebels def. Gold Coast; Women: Uni Rebels def. ?

Financial: Surplus $30,457 (Income $1.24M)

Life Member awarded : Ken Willet

2020 – 703 teams

Covid-19 pandemic arrives in Australia!

• Chairperson: Kristen White / John Masters
• Board: Leanne Bauer, John Clark, Kate Spranklin, Tony White, Michael Saxby
• General Manager: Chris Davis
• Patron: Joe Kelly, State MP

Mustangs – Qld State Cup was cancelled due to rain and PanPacs was cancelled due to Covid.

Financial: Surplus $165,061 (Income 1.27M)

2021 – 810 teams

• Chairperson: John Masters / Michael Saxby
• Board: Leanne Bauer, John Clark, Kate Spranklin, Corey Nolan
• General Manager: Chris Davis
• Patron Joe Kelly, State MP

Financial: Surplus $107,519 (Income 1.43M)

2022 – 801 teams

• Chairperson: Michael Saxby
• Board: Leanne Bauer, John Clark, Corey Nolan, Kate Spranklin
• General Manager Jason Hemson/Chris Davis
• Patron Joe Kelly, State MP

Life Member awarded : John Clark and Leeanne Bauer

Financial: Surplus $129,242 (Income 1.40M and sponsorships of $105,000)

Wet Weather – Season 1 competitions were hit hard with cancellations with nearly 6 weeks of competition rained out as Brisbane experienced significant flooding for the second time in 11 years

In the late 2010s, the old ckubhouse was deemed to be unsafe due to an excess of methane rising from the old dump, and was demolished.

In July 2022, with the support of local and federal governments, a new administration and canteen area was built (valued at around $4.5M ). Also, the field’s lighting was upgraded to LED lights.

The Life Members board was lost in the rebuild!

2023 – 789 teams

• Chairperson: Corey Nolan
• Board: Leanne Bauer, John Clark, Douglas Mackie, Bernadette Hanna
• General Manager Zac Genrich

Life Member awarded : Wayne Grant and Michael Cooksley

BMTA hosted the prestigious international Trans-Tasman Test Series, where Australian players went head-to-head with counterparts from New Zealand and Japan. As well, BMTA hosted the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup.

The BMTA 50th year was celebrated with a function and the Anniversary Cup which attracted 30 teams competing in a one day event.

Referees – five of our top referees were selected to referee International
matches at either the Open Trans-Tasman or the Asia Pacific Youth Touch
Cup.

In the Queensland State Championship held in November, two Mustang teams won – the Over 55s and the Over 60s. For both Junior and Senior Mustangs, volunteers coaches are essential – all 68 of them!

Financial: Surplus $132,463 (Income 1.6M, including a BCC grant of $102,500 and sponsorships of $72,500)

All time

click here to see all BMTA and BCTA life members

back to top of page