3 July 2025
Rivalries don’t come much fiercer than State of Origin.
Just ask Leading Seaman Stephen Holmes, an Australian representative touch footballer, who said international touch football didn’t hold a candle to matches between the Blues and Maroons.
“Australia and New Zealand dominate international competitions, but matches between Aussie teams are about as hard as it gets,” the Queensland representative said.
“State of Origin is the toughest touch football I’ve ever played.”
Leading Seaman Holmes was one of seven Defence personnel who got the tap on the shoulder to represent their state at the Touch Football State of Origin series in Coffs Harbour, held June 20-21.
There were 18 men’s, women’s and mixed divisions playing in the biannual tournament, from opens to over-60s.
Each state won nine divisions each but NSW retained the silverware as reigning champions.
Leading Seaman Holmes represented Queensland in the over-30s men’s division, defeating NSW two games to one.
From across the state line, Leading Aircraftwoman Caylee Wallis played in the NSW over-27s women’s division.
The Maroons were ultimately too good, taking the series 2-1.
“We went down in the decider, which was a hard pill to swallow, but we will have to train hard and come back next time to give it a crack,” Leading Aircraftwoman Wallis said.
Defence personnel shone in support roles, too.
Reservists Leading Aircraftwoman Amanda Crowley and Private Nicole West, selected to officiate the games, were among the best of NSW and Queensland referees.
'The sport is growing, and over the past few years we’ve become competitive in the civilian competitions.'
Captain Matthew Mitchell was assistant coach for the over-35s men’s NSW Blues, the first ADF member to be selected to coach a state representative team.
The pathway to representative selection for both Leading Seaman Holmes and Leading Aircraftwoman Wallis was through their participation in ADF Touch Football and their local clubs.
When he was posted to ADF Careers, aircraft technician Leading Seaman Holmes quickly caught the eye of selectors on the Sunshine Coast and was picked for the men’s over-30s Australian squad.
Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Joshua Woo has played State of Origin touch three times since 2012.
WO2 Woo said everyone benefitted every time a player made a representative side and the efforts of ADF Touch Football Association president Wing Commander Sheena Stapleton had grown the sport’s profile in recent years.
“We're getting people like Leading Seaman Holmes and Leading Aircraftwoman Wallis gaining skills by playing representative football," he said.
"They're bringing these skills back to the ADF and teaching everyone else.
“The sport is growing, and over the past few years we’ve become competitive in the civilian competitions.”
Touch Football football is one of the largest social sports in Australia.
More than 1000 service personnel have played in an ADF Touch Football event in the past 12 months.
The ADF Touch Football national tournament is scheduled for September 16-19 at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane.
Contact defence.sports@defence.gov.au to get involved.
