Queanbeyan in FOXTEL Cup debut

By James Raptis

The FOXTEL Cup is a state-league based knockout competition which showcases the quality of state league football across the country.

The competition brings 10 teams from the various state leagues across the country to play in a unique knockout competition which is televised exclusively by FOX FOOTY and supported by naming rights sponsor FOXTEL.

Queanbeyan coach Kade Klemke believes it is a good opportunity to come up against some quality opposition.

‘It’s a great pathway to be able to see where we’re at compared to some of the other teams around the country.

‘It’s a great experience for us and hopefully we can learn from [it] as well,’ Klemke said.

Captain of the Queanbeyan side Ryan Quade also said the playing group is very excited to be able to showcase themselves in the cup.

‘This format is an exciting opportunity for small clubs such as us to gain experience and to challenge ourselves against some of the better clubs from around Australia.

‘Our preparation doesn’t really change much, it’s just another match for us – one that is really exciting,’ he said.

The top two teams from each of the WAFL, VFL and SANFL have direct entry to the competition, while the four leading teams from the TFL / NEAFL are to play qualifier matches to win the right to join the first round of matches against the leading state league sides.

For the first time in the competition’s three years, the leading SANFL sides, 2012 Grand Finalists Norwood and West Adelaide, will join the leading WAFL and VFL teams – reigning champions Claremont, East Fremantle, Werribee and Port Melbourne. Queanbeyan, Southport, Burnie and the NT Thunder will play qualifying games to join the six leading sides in round one.

In recognition of the altered format for the 2013 Foxtel Cup, the winning team will now claim a first prize of $100,000. All matches will again consist of four quarters each of eighteen (18) minutes set time, plus time-on from the last 3 minutes only (20 minutes approximately total per quarter), to lessen the load on players as well as to enable games to fit into a two-hour broadcast window.

2013 Fixture (all times are local):

Saturday April 13 – Queanbeyan v NT Thunder at Manuka Oval, 11.35am

Saturday April 20 – Southport v Burnie at Metricon Stadium, 2.35pm

Tuesday May 21 – Match 1; Norwood v East Fremantle at AAMI Stadium. 8.05pm

Tuesday May 28 – Match 2; Werribee v Winner Queanbeyan / NT Thunder at Etihad Stadium, 8.35pm

Tuesday June 11 – Match 3; Port Melbourne v West Adelaide at the MCG, 8.35pm

Tuesday June 18 – Match 4; Claremont v Winner Southport/Burnie at Patersons Stadium, 6.35pm

Tuesday July 9 – First Semi Final; Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 at venue tbc, 8.35pm

Tuesday July 16 – Second Semi Final; Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 at venue tbc, 8.35pm

Tuesday August 6 – Grand Final at venue tbc, 8.35pm