Scheduled for Thursday 24 April at Queens Park, the event will see the Townsville Saints go head-to-head with the North Queensland Defence Force Touch Association (NQDFTA) Crocs across three high-stakes representative matches — Men’s Open, Women’s Open, and Men’s Over 30s — all played under lights in front of a passionate local crowd.
More than just a showcase of elite-level touch football, the ANZAC Day Challenge is a tribute to service, sacrifice, and the powerful bond between Townsville’s Defence and sporting communities. The event will open with a formal commemorative ceremony led by serving ADF personnel, including The Last Post and a minute’s silence, before the on-field action begins at 6:00pm.
Both squads are finalising their preparations behind closed doors, with intensity and anticipation building as the challenge draws nearer. While neither camp has revealed much publicly, insiders have suggested that both the Saints and Crocs are fielding some of the strongest line-ups in recent memory — a sign that no one is taking this match-up lightly.
Townsville Touch Football Technical Director Kerrod Hall said excitement is growing on and off the field as the finishing touches are put in place.
"The teams are fired up, the coaches are locked in, and everything is coming together. This isn’t just about the touch footy — it’s about honouring the ANZAC spirit and building a strong connecting between the Defence community and ours."
"It’s going to be a special night, and we want the whole community to come and be a part of it."
The commemorative ceremony is set to begin at 5:45pm, followed by three back-to-back matches: Men’s Over 30s at 6:00pm, Women’s Open at 6:50pm, and the Men’s Open blockbuster at 7:40pm. The winning entity — Saints or Crocs — will be presented with the ANZAC Day Challenge Shield following the final game.
While preparations have been tight-lipped, the wait to see who will pull on the Saints and Crocs jerseys won’t last much longer. Team lists will be released via the Townsville Touch Football website and social media on Friday 18 April, giving fans their first glimpse at the players set to line up in this history-making event.
The ANZAC Day Challenge is free to attend, with a BBQ and licensed area available for spectators. All proceeds from food sales will go toward supporting junior representative players from the Townsville Saints program.
With less than two weeks to go, the stage is nearly set. The only thing missing now? You on the sidelines, cheering your team on!