The next wave of Queensland’s athletes and coaches will take a major step in their development this weekend as NRLW superstar and QTF Ambassador Tamika Upton joins more than 250 aspiring players, coaches and referees at Queensland Touch Football’s Q Youth Academy (QYA) on the Gold Coast.
Thanks to the support of the City of Gold Coast, the Academy will be held Friday 20 – Sunday 22 February at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay, bringing together the state’s most promising U14 and U16 athletes through the Rising Stars and Future Maroons programs, alongside the aligned Junior Referee Pathway.
This year marks the first time the Dolphins join the Academy as an NRL‑aligned touch football permit, sitting alongside the Broncos, Cowboys, and Titans, expanding the established connection between the two codes.
QTF Ambassador and NRLW star Tamika Upton will join the Academy on Friday to mentor athletes and contribute to engagement sessions, the kind of opportunity Upton says wasn’t around when she was coming up the ranks.
“Programs like this can genuinely change a young athlete’s trajectory,” Tamika Upton said.
“Touch football has given so much to me, and it’s a genuine pathway. I love meeting the next generation and sharing the lessons I wish I knew at their age.”
“The Q Youth Academy is such an exciting environment – these kids are eager to learn,” Upton said. “You learn about nutrition, recovery, professionalism, and what it really takes to grow as an athlete.”
Across the weekend, participants will engage in advanced technical skill sessions, performance testing, game education and leadership workshops delivered by some of the best players, coaches and referees including QTF’s high performance staff and development team.
“The Q Youth Academy is a celebration of the hard work happening across our state and is a development opportunity like none other in our sport right now,” said Tristan Mana, QTF Pathways and Performance Manager.
“Our revamped pathway provides an environment where all Queenslanders can grow, challenge and prepare themselves for higher opportunities” Mana said.
The Q Youth Academy also strengthens development opportunities for young officials, with selected referees undertaking a structured program aligned directly with the player and coach pathways.
“You can’t play a game without referees. It’s special for young athletes and referees to learn from each other, because officials bring as much to the quality of the game as players do,” Upton added. “This alignment and integration of the referee pathway is such a positive step for the future.”
The Q Youth Academy continues to set a benchmark for integrated talent development, with further pathway announcements to come throughout 2026 as Queensland Touch Football expands opportunities for the next generation.
