The Hills Hornets have delivered one of their strongest performances to date at the AWD division of the NSW Touch Football State Cup, the premier representative event in the state. Held annually in Port Macquarie, the State Cup brings together the top affiliated associations from across NSW for three days of high-intensity competition, skill and community pride.
The 2025 State Cup will once again be hosted from Friday 5 December to Sunday 7 December at the Regional Sporting Complex and Tuffins Lane Fields, the long-established home of Port Macquarie Touch Association. The event remains a flagship competition on the NSW inclusive sport calendar, providing meaningful representative opportunities for athletes with disability.
This year, Hills Hornets represented Sport Inclusion NSW with resilience, teamwork and a level of competitive grit that set the tone across the tournament.
Grand Final Thriller: Hills Hornets Fight Back for 5–5 Draw Against Newcastle
The grand final saw Hills Hornets take on a fast, disciplined Newcastle outfit in what became one of the standout matches of the tournament.
Newcastle dominated the opening exchanges, controlling field position and capitalising on repeated offside penalties against the Hornets. Strong pace, crisp ball movement and sharp rucking allowed Newcastle to break the line twice early, putting Hills on the back foot.
Hills struggled to find rhythm until Junel shifted the momentum. Reading the defensive gap perfectly, he scooped and scored to ignite the Hornets’ comeback.
Newcastle responded quickly and stretched the lead to 5–2 as the Hornets battled fatigue, mounting injuries and some tough refereeing calls. Yet, in true Hornets fashion, the group refused to break.
Ethan and Dallas brought the game back to life with clutch tries on the edges, exploiting Newcastle’s compressed defence. In the middle, Will anchored the defensive line, turning away repeated sets and shutting down Newcastle’s key playmakers. The trio from Doonside added a dynamic spark, combining slick footwork with confident ball movement to keep Newcastle guessing.
With time running out, Hills surged. A combination of grit, discipline and belief saw the Hornets storm back to level the score 5–5. In the final moments, they even had an opportunity to steal the win, but pressure and a missed chance kept the game locked at full time.
The Hornets walked off the field undefeated and having delivered one of the most spirited comebacks of the tournament.
“The Hornets showed exactly what inclusive representative sport is all about. They demonstrated heart, teamwork and resilience in a high-pressure environment, and they did it while representing Sport Inclusion NSW with pride. A 5–5 draw in a State Cup grand final speaks volumes about their growth and their commitment to each other as a squad.” said Greg Brown, Director Sport Inclusion NSW and Sports 4 All.
Special Acknowledgement: Coach and Staff
A special mention goes to Coach Joshua Brown and the Hornets coaching staff for guiding the squad through a disciplined and well-structured campaign. Remaining undefeated for the tournament and finishing with a superior for-and-against record — one point better than last year — reflects the progression of the program and the players’ development.
A Season of Growth and Rising Pathways
The Hills Hornets’ performance reinforces the strength of AWD touch football within Sport Inclusion NSW and showcases the expanding pathways available for athletes with intellectual disability and autism.
With increased participation, stronger school and community engagement, and improved development programs, AWD touch continues to rise as a key representative sport on the inclusive pathway.
The Hornets leave the State Cup with pride, momentum and a clear message:
they are not just competing — they are rising.
