This group of elite athletes and officials will proudly don the green and gold, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication on the global stage.
Kelly Kennedy - Captain, Australian Emu's Women's 35's
Kelly Kennedy, after being announced as Australian Flag Bearer for the 2024 World Cup. Photo: SuppliedKelly Kennedy (Australian Emu #114), a longstanding standout player for Frogs Women's 1 in the Colliers Shield, will lead the Australian Women's 35's team as captain. Kennedy's illustrious career is highlighted by her selection as the Ron Hanson Medallist, serving as the Australian flag bearer at the event. With 37 international caps, she is Townsville's most capped active Australian player, a true testament to her prowess and dedication to the sport.
Kennedy's international journey began with an impressive start, scoring the most tries in the 2001 Youth World Cup for the Australian Girls Under 18 side. Not be outdone, her 2005 Youth World Cup campaign, this time in the Girs Under 20's division, saw her named Player of the Series and Most Valuable Player for the Australian side. Kennedy's versatility is evident as she has excelled in every division she has played internationally, including Women's Open, Mixed Open, Women's Over 27's and now Women's 35's, amassing numerous caps and accolades. Her leadership and experience will undoubtedly inspire her team to strive for excellence on the world stage.
- Girls Under 18 (2001 Youth World Cup):
- 8 Youth World Cup matches
- Most tries scored (9) by any player
- Girls Under 20 (2005 Youth World Cup): 6 Youth World Cup matches
- Player of the Series (2005 Youth World Cup)
- Most Valuable Player (2005 Youth World Cup)
- Women's Open:
- 2 matches vs New Zealand (2009 Test Series)
- 3 matches vs New Zealand (2010 Test Series)
- Mixed Open:
- 12 World Cup matches (2007 World Cup)
- Women's 27:
- 6 World Cup matches (2015 World Cup),
- 3 matches vs New Zealand (2017 Masters Trans Tasman Test Series),
- 3 other international matches (2017 QLD Women's 27 vs New Zealand)
- 8 World Cup matches (2019 World Cup)
Shaun Francis - Australian Emu's Men's Open
Shaun Francis at the 2020 National Touch League, where his NQ Cyclones team were Grand Finalists. Photo: SuppliedShaun Francis, a formidable player for Brothers Men's 1 in the Colliers Shield, will represent the Australian Emus in the Men's Open division. With an impressive 27 international caps, including 8 World Cup matches and 19 Tests, Francis brings a wealth of experience and skill to the team. His international career has seen him compete fiercely against top teams from Japan and New Zealand across multiple Trans Tasman Test Series.
Francis' dedication and talent have made him a key player for the Australian Emus. His standout performances in the 2019 World Cup and various test series have solidified his reputation as a top-tier athlete in the sport.
- Men's Open:
- 8 World Cup matches (2019 World Cup)
- 2 matches vs Japan and 3 matches vs New Zealand (2016 Trans Tasman/Tri-Series)
- 2 matches vs Japan and 3 matches vs New Zealand (2017 Trans Tasman/Tri-Series)
- 3 matches vs New Zealand (2018 Trans Tasman Test Series)
- 3 matches vs Japan and 3 matches vs New Zealand (2023 Trans Tasman/Tri-Series)
Tim Villalba - Manager, Australian Emu's Men's Open
Tim Villalba, Australian Emu #80. Photo: Touch Football AustraliaTim Villalba (Australian Emu #80) returns to the World Cup, his first since his international debut in 1991, this time as the Manager of the Australian Emus Men's Open team under Head Coach Phil Gyemore. His return to international competition as a manager in 2023 marked a significant milestone, and he now aims to lead his team to success in Nottingham.
Villalba's international career as a player includes the 1991 World Cup and the 1991 Trans Tasman Test Series. He continued to showcase his skills in subsequent test series against Japan and Great Britain. Transitioning to a managerial role, Villalba brought his extensive experience to the Australian Emus Men's Open team during the 2023 Trans Tasman Test Series. His strategic insights and leadership will be crucial for the team's performance at the World Cup.
- As a player
- Men's Open:
- 10 World Cup matches (1991 World Cup)
- 1 match vs New Zealand (1991 Trans Tasman Test Series).
- Mixed Open:
- 1 match vs New Zealand (1993 Trans Tasman Test Series)
- 3 matches vs Japan and 2 matches vs Great Britain (1995 Japan & Great Britain Test Series).
- Men's Open:
- As a Manager
- Men's Open:
- 3 matches vs Japan and 3 matches vs New Zealand (2023 Trans-Tasman/Tri-Series).
- Men's Open:
Tony Parsons - Australian Emu's Men's 55's
Tony Parsons, after being presented his debut Australian Emu's playing shirt. Photo: SuppliedTony Parsons will make his international debut in the Men's 55's team, in a dream-come-true moment for the touch football stalwart. A dedicated player for Sharks in the Colliers Shield and Jets in the Tuesday Veterans competitions, Parsons also serves as a Vice President on the Board of Townsville Touch Football (TTF) and as the association's Disciplinary Tribunal Chairperson. His extensive regional and state-level experience makes his debut highly anticipated.
Special Mention - Andrew Searle - Australian Emu's Mixed Open
Andrew Searle, a former Townsville player now based in Brisbane, will be making his World Cup debut for Australia in the Mixed Open team. His international career includes three caps in the 2015 Youth Trans Tasman Test Series against New Zealand, and five caps against Japan and New Zealand in the 2023 Trans Tasman/Tri-Series.
Dedicated Team Officials
Townsville is also proudly represented by four esteemed team officials, whose expertise and leadership will be instrumental in the World Cup campaign.
Nicholas "Nick" Pecchiar returns for his second World Cup, this time as the coach of the Australian Emus Men's 40's team. Nick previously coached the Men's 30's team in the 2019 World Cup.
Mark Edwards makes his international debut as the Assistant Coach of the Men's 40's team. With a rich coaching history at local, regional, and state levels, including a victorious campaign with the NQ Tropical Cyclones Under 18 Boys, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Mitchell Higgins, a former Townsville player now living in Weipa, returns for his second World Cup as Pecchiar's Manager of the Men's 40's team. Higgins' pivotal role in leading the Townsville Saints Senior Mixed side to victory in the 2023 Queensland State Cup highlights his exceptional management skills.
The eight players and officials will also be joined in Nottingham by four of Townsville top referees, highlighting the high caliber of touch football in Townsville. Their achievements are a testament to the dedication and passion that defines Townsville's sporting spirit.
Stay tuned for updates and join the Townsville community in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our local heroes at the 2024 Touch Football World Cup. Go Emus!
(Photo courtesy Sharks Touch Club)