Emus take Asia title at Redcliffe

Pictures courtesy of Touch Football Australia

Australia proved emus can fly with four teams soaring to gold in the 2025 Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe on Saturday.

Three days of international Touch Football – with 23 sides from 10 nations – finished with the Australia Emus and New Zealand Touch Blacks in all six grand finals.

New Zealand won the first in extra-time with a final 9-7 score in the Mixed 18s, scoring two tries in two minutes after the match was locked up 7-all in regulation.

The Girls 18s grand final saw Australia chalk up a 6-1 win over New Zealand courtesy of a double to Alice Mitchell, after losing only one game.

A complete performance in the Boys 18s ensured Australia took the victory 6-3 against New Zealand, with the host nation in control from the opening siren.

There was a second-half in the Mixed 20s final as Australia ran out 11-5 winners over New Zealand, who only trailed 4-3 at half time.

Having a player sent-off in the seventh minute put New Zealand on the back foot against Australia in the Women's 20s grand final and the Emus raced home 9-2.

Picture gallery

The Men's 20s grand final saw a thriller in extra-time, after a 4-4 tie, with Thomas D'Urban-Burgess scoring to snatch victory for the Touch Blacks.

Despite those heroics, Australia was crowned Champion Nation thanks to four wins from six age groups.

The Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup was supported by City of Moreton Bay.

Grand finals:

Mixed 18s: Final - New Zealand Touch Blacks 9 defeated Athelite Australian Emus 7

Girls 18s: Final – Athelite Australian Emus 6 New Zealand Touch Blacks 1

Boys 18s: Final - Athelite Australian Emus 6 defeated New Zealand Touch Blacks 3

Mixed 20s: Final - Athelite Australian Emus 11 defeated New Zealand Touch 5

Women's 20s: Final - Athelite Australian Emus 9 defeated New Zealand Touch Blacks 2

Men's 20s: Final - New Zealand Touch Blacks 5 defeated Athelite Australian Emus 4

Champion Nation - Australia