2 July 2024
There’s a spring in Leading Seaman Stephen Holmes’ step after being selected for the Australian Emus at this year’s Touch Football World Cup.
Leading Seaman Holmes capped a stellar period of form and leadership roles within the ADF Touch Association with selection for Australia in the men’s 30s team World Cup in Nottingham, England, from July 15-21.
The Emus will take 13 teams to the Federation of International Touch World Cup after a five-year hiatus. They aim to defend and retain their opens and masters titles from Kuala Lumpar in 2019.
Posted as an ADF Careers Coach at Maroochydore, Leading Seaman Holmes owed his selection to hard work, a lifelong dream and a supportive Defence environment that has allowed him to keep playing at the highest levels.
“It’s always been a goal and dream of mine to reach the highest level of touch football and to represent my country on the world stage,” he said.
“After having a successful 2023 winning the National Touch League men’s 30s and Queensland State Cup men’s 30s with Gold Coast, getting player of the final at Queensland State Cup was a real highlight.
“But having the ability to represent at NSW State Cup with the ADF representative men’s opens team making the Division 1 final, only to lose to a strong and experienced Parramatta side, really helped with my selection into the World Cup side.”
He said the path to selection was tough. A 28-player squad was cut to 16 in a trial camp at Redlands, Queensland, over the Australia Day weekend.
“The camp was an epic experience being surrounded with world-class players and plenty of fitness was involved,” he said.
“I had a nervous wait after the camp for about two weeks until Karley Banks (Australian World Cup Coach) called me. I was overwhelmed with joy, with instant goosebumps, and reality started to set in that I was about to make my debut for Australia in Nottingham.
“Being posted to ADF Careers on the Sunshine Coast helped elevate my performance as well, with the calibre of players on the coast and south-east Queensland really testing me week in, week out.
“It has been great to speak to the local schools about my journey from playing in the Noosa State High School touch team to the World Cup, all built while playing for ADF representative teams over the past decade. I am grateful for the opportunities that ADF sports has provided me.”
