Ryan Shibasaki, 36 years old, will be the first to admit that he might be a bit rusty when he laces up his boots to compete in the Queensland Touch Football State Cup this Weekend.
Over the last year Ryan has been working hard on the sideline establishing the Tagai Touch Academy on Thursday Island.
Ryan who was born and raised on Thursday Island has dedicated the better half of a decade working as youth mentor on the island.
“So previously I was doing a blue edge program with the police, where I’d run fitness sessions with high school kids along with the police officers on the Island,” he said.
Concerned that these programs were becoming stale, Ryan set about establishing a school-based touch program out of Tagai State College.
“There is really no sport for kids up here,” he said.
“They have a Junior League but once you get over 12 years of age, you have to wait until you’re 18.
“Kids have got to have something to work towards.
“This is how the whole touch football academy was started.”
The Academy introduced a 6-week competition program in term 3 of this year, that culminated in the College’s high school team travelling to the Gold Coast in October to compete in the All-Schools Touch Football tournament.
For many of those who formed part of the All-Schools team, it was their first time playing at competition level.
Whilst Ryan is looking to personally qualify for the Queensland touch State of Origin team, he hopes that he will not have to fly down alone next year.
Thursday Island is seeking to obtain affiliation status under Queensland Touch Football affiliate regulations, which is something Ryan hopes will come to life in 2025.
“Plans are to get affiliated, hopefully by next year, and bring down a team to the State Cup”.
The 2024 Queensland Touch Football State Cup runs from 29 November – 1 December at the Coomera Sports Park on the Gold Coast. The State Cup kicks off the 10 day QTF Festival of Touch which wraps up on the 8 December.
