/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////// After a 13-year hiatus, the Federation of International Touch hosted a Youth Touch World Cup (YWC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 8th - 11th August 2018. And after all these years, Australia was raring to take back the title claimed by New Zealand 13 years ago. Australia succeeded, with gold in all six divisions: Boys 20’s, Girls 20’s, Mixed 20’s, Boys 18’s, Girls 18’s and Mixed 18’s. Australia dominated in all three 18’s divisions and the Girls 20’s, taking whitewash victories against New Zealand. Yet competition was tighter in the Boys 20’s, with a 5-all draw Aust-NZ match in their first game against each other and a 10-7 New Zealand win against Australia in their second game, after which Australia was able to bring home the win, 9-5, in the tense grand final. Competition was also close in the Mixed 20’s – while Australia was able to take a 9-6 win over the Kiwis in game one, NZ evened things up in game two, ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// with a 6-3 win, before Australia showed what they’re made of when it really mattered, with a 9-6 grand final win. South Africa, the only other country along with Australia and New Zealand to enter teams in all six divisions, ended the tournament in third place. Special mentions go to the following NSW athletes: Faith Nathan for winning the Roxy Winder Award for Player of the Tournament, as well as Coach’s Award for the Girls 20’s; Maddison Higgins-Ashby for the Girls 20’s Players’ Player award; Chris Elbitar for the Mixed 20’s Coach’s Award and Bailey Hayward for the Boys 18’s Players’ Player award. Credit goes to the Australian coaches, assistant coaches, team managers and high-performance team, who worked incredibly hard to take care of these young athletes who were competing in intense heats and high humidity. Thanks also goes to the Federation of International Touch for holding the event. We look forward to witnessing the action of the World Cup and Masters World Cup,also in Kuala Lumpur, in April 2019. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////// YOUTH WORLD CUP 2018 YOUTH WC PHOTOS 10 | Keeping In Touch 2018