Touch Football (Touch Rugby) History

The history of Touch Football (Touch Rugby) as it developed from the 1960s

Brisbane Notables

Note: Some of these players have played in other associations as well as Brisbane.

Terry Jacks

  • Australian and Queensland Open men’s Player and captain 1980s –
  • Eagle touch club VIP
  • BMTA premiership winner
  • BMTA life Member
  • Australia Hall of Fame

Donna Jacks

  • Australian and Queensland Open women’s Player and captain 1980s –
  • Eagle touch club VIP

Jenny Madders

Jenny (middle) – At Brisbane 50 years celebrations

Player :

Jenny commenced playing touch in 1980 for Dairy Maids in the Metropolitan Touch competitions, 8 aside, full field, barefoot and with a kick off. She quickly established herself in the representative arena as follows from 1981 – 1999:

  • South East Queensland – Women’s Open
  • Brisbane City – Women’s Open, Open Mixed, over 27, Over 30 & 35
  • Queensland – Women’s Open, Open Mixed, over 27 & Over 35
  • Australia – 1991 World Cup New Zealand Over 27 where she was selected in the World Cup All Stars Team.
  • Jenny has 20 World Cup Caps.
  • Jenny also Managed the Australian Women’s Open Team at the World Cup in Sydney 1999.

Administration:

Country Club United: With her husband Gary, Jenny managed Country Club United (a large Brisbane Touch club) for 15 years from the mid-90s till the late 2000s.

Jenny also played a major role in Brisbane City Touch Association as President with the Association awarded her with a Life Members award in 2007.

Refereeing :

Not satisfied to side on the sideline when her playing career ended in 1999, Jenny moved into Refereeing and quickly moved through the badge levels to achieve her Level 6 International Badge in 2002.

Her record in refereeing is extensive, refereeing at the NYC and NTL, where she was ranked as number one female referee for many years. Jenny obtained 15 Leading Referee appointment at the Youth World Cups in 2001 in New Zealand and 2005 on the Sunshine Coast.

The high light for her is refereeing the 3 game series for the 2004 State of Origin Women’s Open.

Jenny’s contributing to the BMTA Referees was acknowledged when she was awarded the BMTA Female Referee of the decade.

Jenny also holds a Level 2 in Referee coaching and Course Presenting and Level 1 Selecting and has been a mentor to many referees from beginners to international level.

New Juniors club :

In 2015, Jenny with her husband Garry, family and friends started Arana Touch Football Association, which was formed to provide a junior touch competition for their grandchildren and other children within the community. Jenny has held the position of Referees Director for Arana Touch for the past 9 years and was awarded Life Membership in 2022.

Family :

The Madders family are high achievers with son Craig and Brent excelling as elite touch players and represented Queensland and Australia and now their grandchildren are showing their dominance in the sport.

Peter Spargo

  • Australian and Queensland Open men’s Player 1980s –
  • Country club VIP, Premier grade player for many years
  • BMTA premiership winner with Country Club
  • Contributor to this this history – detailed Country Club history, videos, etc.

Terry Hutchinson

  • Australian and Queensland Open men’s Player 1980s –

Greg Young

  • Australian and Queensland Open men’s Player 1980s, containing to represent Australia, Queensland and BMTA in over age divisions each year until the 2000s.
  • Eagle touch club VIP
  • BMTA premiership winner
  • Australia Hall of Fame

Stories to come

Angela and Catherine Barr

Peter Ridgewell

Ashly Heiniger

  • Australian and Queensland Player 1980s –

Dave Brown

Kevin Hickey

Scott Notley

Bob Brindell

Sharyn Williams

  • Australian and Queensland Open women’s Player and captain
  • Redlands player, but played for Brisbane Sharks club