The state cup tournament is the biggest touch football carnival in the world.

Bluetongues coach Ben Cooper said the team’s thirteen local females were amongst 17 000 players to compete at the carnival.

“When it comes to touch football carnivals, it doesn’t get any bigger than this one,” he said.

“Whilst Young entered a team in the under 18s category of the tournament, the team was extremely young with only three  players actually at the higher end of the age range.” 

Assistant Coach Shelby Inwood said the Bluetongues had an average age of 16 with the youngest player, Marlie McIntosh being only 13.

“We were well aware how challenging the tournament would be for the girls but knew it would be good for their skill and game development,” she said.

Mr Cooper said the Young team were excited and extremely nervous going into their pool games.

“The first game against North Sydney saw some amazing driving by both teams and when winger Abby Lucas dived to the corner to score Young’s first try for the tournament you could see the team lift,” he said.

“Our centre combination of Emma Manwaring, Anna Hall and Chloe Muggleton piled on another seven tries to win the game by eight tries. 

“The second game of the day was against the physical Hills Hornets team and it was an exciting, fast and competitive match with the score continually tied throughout the game with both sub boxes struggling to contain their composure. An awesome try by talented link Ash Carroll saw Young walk away with the victory.”

Mr Cooper said after the win against Hills Hornets the tournament changed for the team.

“We went from being in it for an experience to being in the tournament as possible contenders,” he said.

“The success continued with Young beating Lower Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Bankstown in the round games and only losing by one try to the local hosts the Port Makos.

Young scored 31 tries in the round games with only 9 being scored against us.”

Bluetongues link Bonnie King said the team’s work ethic paid off during the carnival.

“We exceeded everyone’s expectations when we won five out of six of our round games.  It proves how hard work, determination and good structure really pays off,” she said.

“We were on a huge high after we battled it out and won our game against Berkley Vale for a spot in the top eight.”

Mr Cooper said tries to Abby Lucas, Marlie McIntosh and Emma Manwaring provided Young with a 3-1 win and assured them a spot in the quarter- finals. 

“Making the finals was an unexpected thrill for our team and this was capped off with the game being played in the main stadium in front of a large crowd,” he said.

“Unfortunately we lost to a very classy Manly side but our girls got to play against the best in the state and against Australian players – this kind of experience is invaluable in becoming better touch players, our achievement at the carnival was outstanding and proves the association’s strategic vision is working.”