The new date became available after the 2025 Junior State Cup North, originally set to take place this weekend, was postponed by the North Queensland Touch Association due to the uncertainty over field conditions.
Heavy rainfall over the last few weeks had left several fields at Queens Park waterlogged, with further uncertainty around the forecast and concerns about field damage prompting the decision.
Townsville Touch Football, mindful that several fields may still be out-of-action, has taken the opportunity to catch up on the Colliers Shield schedule by slotting Round 2 into the newly freed-up Sunday afternoon.
To make the day work, TTF has made a few adjustments to the usual matchday routine.
With fields 4, 6, and 8 currently out of action, only fields 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 will be used.
The first timeslot will now start at 1:00pm instead of the usual 3:00pm, and games will then be played hourly at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm.
Match duration remains the same at 20-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime break, however the earlier games will include a short drinks break at the 10-minute mark.
To avoid further field damage, participants and spectators are being reminded to stay off fields 4, 6, and 8, which remain too waterlogged for use.
TTF President Glen Wilson said the revised schedule is a compromise to get the season back on track.
"It's certainly not ideal, but the adjustments to this Sunday's round will at least allow us to get back on the field."
He acknowledged that the unpredictable weather had left little choice but to be flexible.
"The weather is obviously something that we have no control over, so we've had to be patient and wait it out."
Wilson said the organisation is still keeping a close eye on the skies.
"We'll keep watching the weather this week, and hope that we don't get too much more rain."
He added that there’s still a chance plans could change again if the rain continues.
"If we get any more rain, we'll re-evaluate closer to the weekend, but it's our hope that we'll still be able to get all games in this Sunday."
Wilson stressed that player safety has remained the top priority throughout the delays and changes.
"Our main focus is always on making sure we can play games safely, so the decisions we've made over the last few weeks have been made with that in mind."
The return to play comes at a pivotal time, with players getting some much-needed game-time ahead of the recently announced ANZAC Day Challenge.
The representative series, which will see the best of Townsville Touch Football’s players face off against the best North Queensland-based Defence Force players, is scheduled for Thursday 24th April, and will include a pre-match commemoration service led by ADF members.
"Getting some game-time this weekend is crucial for finalising selections and giving players a chance to build a bit of match fitness before the series".
The ANZAC Day Challenge is shaping up to be a major highlight on TTF’s 2025 calendar, and a solid hit-out this Sunday will go a long way toward making sure teams are ready to go.
The revised draw for Round 2 of the Colliers Shield is expected to be released by Wednesday this week.