McGrath and Dwyer bound for NTL in Coffs Harbour

The NTL is the premier event for Touch Football Australia, held in March each year.

The aim of the tournament is to showcase representative touch football on a national stage and this year marks its 21^st year.

Sue McGrath and Sally Dwyer, both members of the Parkes Pumas, will head to Coffs Harbour from March 8-11 to take on some of the country’s best players.

The pair were selected from tournaments throughout 2016, particularly the NSW Country Championships that were held in October in Wollongong.

McGrath – who will represent the Hunter and Western regional squad in the women’s 45s division – is excited to be debuting for the team.

“It’s a new challenge and a bit out of my comfort zone,” she said.

“I want to go out and have fun, I coach the Under 14 girls and I wanted to do this to show the girls it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can make it.”

McGrath has been playing touch since she was 12 years old and loves the exercise and friendships behind the sport.

She’s now the club secretary and enjoys playing in the local competition with her daughter Chloe who’s old enough to play alongside her mother.

McGrath will be among the Hornets who will travel to Newcastle on February 25 for a training day.

The NTL event won’t be Dwyer’s first time representing a regional squad – she’s played for the Wollongong Southern Suns and NSW Country Mavericks touch sides.

So it’s safe to say Dwyer is certainly no stranger to the game of touch – having played since she was six.

In fact she’s no stranger to football in general.

She says she has quite the “footy head”, coming from a big footballing family.

Dwyer has almost played every code of football – rugby union, rugby sevens, league tag, tackle league and touch.

“I love a challenge...I’m so competitive,” she laughed.

“My favourite thing is being able to read the game.

“And I love the fitness, you can never be too fit.”