The first Queensland Touch Football Association
Pre 1973
In the early 1970s a group of old mates and ex rugby league football players started playing touch at MacGregor High School. They simply had a couple of teams and threw a ball around against each other. (Later many of those players formed the Magregoroos Touch club.) Other schools throughout the state also played touch as a muck around game.
1973 – organised touch starts in Brisbane
After discovering there was organised touch being played in Sydney, a few of these social touch players decided to follow suit and started a Brisbane Competition.
The first informal meeting to kick it all off was at the Brothers Rugby league Club, Corbett park, Brisbane in February, 1973. The meeting, organised primarily by Gary Balkin, was attended by Gary Balkin, Jim Schaumberg, Des Condon, Frank Melit, Vince Morrison, Wayne Daley, Neil Baumber and Bob Bailey.
Gary Balkin was a strong supporter of rugby league in Queensland. An old boy of Christian Brothers College Gympie, Balkin came to Brisbane to work in the pub industry and play rugby league for Souths and Brothers. In 1964, he was top try scorer in the Brisbane Rugby League. By the time his playing career ended, he was owner-licensee of the Melbourne Hotel and for 14 years patron of Souths Rugby League Club. Gary went on to help, both organisationally and financially, the start of touch football in Brisbane, and was the patron of the Brisbane Touch Football Association for many years. (Gary was also a founder of the Brisbane Broncos, a major force in Australian Rugby League, and created the iconic Kookaburra Queen, a popular Brisbane floating restaurant.)
Sadly, on 14th June 2018 touch football lost its inaugural Patron, Co-Founder and Life Member, Gary Balkin. Gary gave his time and efforts generously during his tenure. What we have today is a wonderful reward for his early efforts.
Amongst others, Jim Schaumberg and Bill Cameron were also an integral part of creating the first proper touch competition in Brisbane, which was called the Brisbane Touch Football Association.
Jim Schaumberg remembers:
“I was made aware of organised Touch Football in Sydney by Mr John Gault who worked for the Jeldi Manufacturing Company at Punchbowl, NSW — a company I was involved with in my business as a Carpet Retailer. From there I decided to seek if there were any interested parties here in Brisbane in forming an organisation to arrange Clubs to form and play fixtures. Having been an acquaintance of Gary Balkin at the Old Melbourne Hotel, I approached him regarding same.
Unbeknown to me, Ivan Jones, a former Brisbane Souths rugby league player and then a South Sydney Rabbitohs A grade player (where touch was also played) was a good friend of Gary Balkin’s, and had already discussed the Sydney competition with Gary. Gary was motivated to start a competition in Brisbane as well.
This resulted in a meeting early in 1973 at Brothers Rugby League Club, Corbett Park, Brisbane with the intent to form a Committee to manage a touch football competition. The meeting was attended by Gary Balkin, Jim Schaumberg, Des Condon, Frank Melit, Vince Morrison, and Bob Bailey. This meeting was organised primarily by Gary Balkin and the upshot of Gary and my initiative was the genesis of the Code in Queensland.
The rules of Touch were acquired from a Touch Association in Manly, Sydney and provided by John Bliss, a notable player and champion beach sprinter. Bill Cameron, who was instrumental in procuring these rules, has stated that the famous commentator and player, Rex Mossop, was involved in their creation.
It maybe of note that my interest peaked in late 1971 regarding Touch and at the start of 1972 Vince Morrison, myself and others commenced playing “pickup” games of touch at the MacGregor High School at 7am Sunday mornings for the duration of the year. This also enabled us to be up and ready for the start of touch fixtures in 1973. From this, a club was formed and named “Macgregoroos”.
Both Ray Vawdon (President) and Bob Dykes (Secretary) of the South Sydney Association, the founders of organised touch in Australia, were very helpful and forthcoming in the formation of Touch in Queensland.
1973 – First official meeting of BTFA
On the 27Th March 1973, a meeting at the Melbourne Hotel in West End, Brisbane established the ground rules for the new competition. According to the official minutes, the team delegates were:
Souths: Gary Balkin, Ken Garvie
Alliance: Wayne James
Brothers: Des Manion
Aspley: Bill Cameron
MacGreggor: Jim Schaumberg, Vince Morrison
Redcliffe: not present – apology sent
Referees: Bruce Carroll
Some members of the first official meeting at the Melbourne Hotel, Brisbane.
Rules, fields and times were agreed upon. According to the minutes, the competition was limited to 10 teams, games would start at 7:45 am on Sundays and the first games would be on the 8th April 1973. Players had to be ex-rugby league players and over 25 to play. (Note: Later on, some youngers players wish to join, but were refused, culminating in another touch football competition being established in 1974).
The meeting decided to appoint Jim Schaumberg as Chairman of the newly formed association, and Bill Cameron as secretary.
Below are the minutes of the first meeting (click each page to read).
The minutes record the first two rounds of games were scheduled for Sunday morning, 8th April 1973 with two games at Davies Park (Souths Rugby League home ground) and two games at Corbett park (Brothers Rugby League home ground):
Macgregor-oos v Fighting Irish at Davies Park I
Magpies v Alliance at Davies Park II
Dolphins v Lazy Leprechornes at Corbett Park I
Aspley Devils v Referees at Corbett Park II
Further games were arranged for this first Sunday as an additional 6 teams entered the competition by the time the start date came around. During the season nine rounds of touch were played.
Monthly association meetings were held throughout the year (at the Melbourne Hotel), with many new teams coming on board. The first annual general meeting was held on 23rd October1973.
Here is an extract from the president’s first annual report of 1973:
“Since its inception in February 1973, Brisbane Touch Association has gone ahead in leaps and bounds, from a couple of interested players to 18 odd teams playing in Winter and Summer Fixtures plus an Annual Trophy being played for in an Interstate Series. This is progress at a remarkable rate.
The basic idea of Touch is above all to achieve a reasonable level of physical fitness, the fellowship of other players and the many varied social aspects of meeting after the game.”
Fees were per player, and only amounted to $1 or $2 per person.
Due the kind sponsorship of Gary Balkin of the Melbourne Hotel, the competition was named the “Melbourne Cup”.
On Sunday 23rd September 1973, the finals were played at Davies Park. The 1st division final was won by Redcliffe Dolphins defeating Melbourne Magpies. After the finals, a BBQ was enjoyed by players and family. (20 gallons of XXXX beer was donated by the Melbourne Hotel.)
Later in the year (July), a second division was established, consisting of 6 teams, Beenleigh, Valleys, Souths, Magpies, Easts and Coolum.
Referees were either form the rugby league competition, or both teams provided a player for each half. Early referees were Don Lancashire, Harley leslie, Allan Lens, and Bob Ward.
1973 – The basic rules
Field – Rugby League field (100m x 70m)
Time: Two half’s of 35 minutes each way with a 10 minute break.
Eight men per side. Any number of replacements are allowed in any half.
The six tackle (touch) rule to be played, with no kicking allowed in general play. Defensive marker at pplay the ball.
Play the ball, rugby league style, where touched.
Referee to officiate at each game.
In defence, the five yard rule will apply.
Scoring – one point per try.
No scrummages.
Any dropped ball at all is a loss of possession.
Dummy-half touched is loss of possession.
To score the player’s body must be completely across try line, with no grounding the ball required.
At least five players required to play, otherwise a forfeit.
Other rules outlined Infringements, intercepts (must stop and play the ball), and marker (optional). Finer points were in accordance with rugby league rules.
1973 Summer Touch Football
On 10th October 1973 the first a Summer competition was commenced. Eight teams played on the Brisbane southside and another eight teams on the southside.
A trophy was donated by Bos Electrics’ Director and touch player, Don Bullock.
1973 Interstate games against NSW
The earliest interstate clashes in Touch occurred when Brisbane Touch Association representative teams played NSW (South Sydney) teams in 1973, 1974, and 1975. In 1973 NSW wanted to have these matches played ten-a-side but Brisbane would not agree to this and the matches were played 8-a-side on a Rugby League field.
In the first year, 1973, as a result of a letter from the South Sydney Junior Touch Association Secretary, Bob Dykes, The BTFA committee decided to send two teams to Sydney to play games at Erskineville Oval. This tour eventuated on the 2″d, 3rd & 4th August 1973. Both Queensland sides were soundly beaten (12-1 and 10-1) as not all the top players from Queensland could travel to Sydney due to cost and other reasons. However, the event was to prove extremely beneficial in terms of the promotion of touch football, both in Queensland and New South Wales. This was the pivotal moment in the growth of the game in both states, as touch in NSW was a minor sport until the publicity of these games.
The first BTFA representative players in 1973 were: Adrian Wylie, Doug Walters, Les Jones, John Ellingsen, Bob Yarborough, Jim Schaumberg, Don Bullock, Frank Drake, Barry Pedler, Brian Clem, Bob Duncan (c), Graham Sharpe, David Robbins, Bill Cameron, Paul Pyers, Allan Thurlow, Norm Devine, Trevor Jones, Les Thompson, Graham Vierow.
Return matches were played at Corbett Park on Friday, 12th October 1973 during a severe thunderstorm refereed by rugby league Test Referee Don Lancashire. The Queensland sides reversed the scores by a wide margin. The Queensland selectors were able to pick a much better team with Test, State and many BRL First Graders. After the Corbett Park matches a banquet was held in the Brothers Clubhouse with a large attendance. Also n 12th October a banquet night was held at the Brothers Rugby leagues club, with 390 persons attending.
1973 – Regional touch develops in Queensland
Some of the regional towns, when they started, and their main contact at the time:
Ipswich 1973 Ray Eustice
Toowoomba 1973 John Pobar
Rockhampton 1973 Rob Weston
Townsville 1974 Graham Gordon
Gold Coast 1974 Paul Eggers
Redcliffe 1974
Cairns 1975 John McAllister
1974 – 22 teams
The association continued to grow,
In 1974. There was enough interest for a 22 team competition, Wynnum being the 22nd team to nominate.
In May 1974 the commitee allowed two players under 25 per team to play if they were medically unfit to play rugby league.
In the same year, another touch football competition started in Brisbane – refer South Queensland Touch Football Association
1974 – Representative games
In the following 5 years Jim Schaumberg was heavily involved as a Team Manager and Selector for the Queensland Teams as was the coach Paul (Pappy) Pyers. Queensland teams often had the better of the NSW sides.
1975 – 30 teams
In 1975 , BTFA was split into two competitions : Brisbane northside, 16 teams and Brisbane southside, 14 teams.
A list of 1975 teams playing in the BTFA competition:
Ardath Stars , Aspley Devils, Dragons, Arana Panthers, Groverly Grunters, Hagans’ Heroes, Hairlord Die-Easys, R.M. Diehards, Sharp Valleys, Spartans, Uni Rovers, Untouchables, Virginia Virgins, Lazy Leprechauns, Fighting Irish, Paddy’s Puffers, Unicorns, Mighty Magpies, Macgregoroos, Magic Magpies, Souths Pee Wee, Black & Golds, Stones Corner Tigers, All Stars, Saints, Barbarians, Cleveland Crabs, Beenleigh, Wales, Past Vultures
1975 – Exhibition game, rugby league world cup
In 1975, one of the promotional games we were able to arrange was an exhibition match between two Brisbane sides as a curtain raiser to the World Cup rugby league match between England and Wales at Lang Park. Bill Cameron and Jim Schaumberg were asked to provide commentary and explain the rules of the touch game. It created a lot of interest, both at the ground and in the coming months.
1976 – Representative games against NSW, Sydney Rugby League Grand Final
In 1976, interstate touch was played on the same weekend as the Sydney Rugby League Grand Final. The Queensland team travelled to Sydney to play and was coached in these matches by Paul Pyers and managed by Jim Schaumberg. On this occasion Queensland were better than NSW. But the NSW referee, Peter Mooney, ensured NSW wasn’t to be beaten by extending the game by several minutes, with NSW drawing the game on a 7th or 8th touch. This meant NSW should retain the trophy, but NSW player, Ken Irvine, handed over the trophy to Queensland, saying to Jim Schaumberg “you were the better side”.
As a lead up to the interstate game in Sydney, touch matches were played in Brisbane against Brisbane Rugby League A Grade sides and the results were quite remarkable:
Easts Tigers 16 — 3
Souths 12 — 3
Norths 10 — 4
Wynnum Manly 8 — 2
In the Wynnum/Manly match, it took rugby league test winger, Warren Orr and Ian Boustead to get the two rugby league tries.
In 1976 34 clubs nominated to play ion the BTFA competition., with 2 A grade divisions and 2 B grade divisions, 1 of each on either side of the river.
1977 to 1980
The Association continued to grow across Brisbane.
Relations with the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) were cordial right from the beginning. Consequently, when our regular meeting place, the old Melbourne Hotel, was to be demolished to make way for the new, an approach was made to Arthur Sparkes, Chairman of the BRL, for some space to hold our meetings. He made the Bill Boardroom available to us which was very generous indeed.
1981 – women’s competition starts
It was not till 1981 that the BTFA bowed to pressure from Don Holland and a women’s competition was started.
1983
In 1983 Brisbane Touch Football Association removed the “football” word from its name to become the Brisbane Touch Association (BTA), to follow the trend in Australia to remove the word “football” from the game. (The “football” name was later reinstated.)
In 1983 the Brisbane Touch Association created the Brisbane Touch Foundation Members Club. The foundation was created to establish a fellowship between the foundation members of BTA and to encourage the development of the BTA.
In general
From 1981 to 1984 Ardath Stars dominated the men’s competition and at one stage accumulated an unbeaten run of 75 winsi