Following on-going negotiations regarding the status of next year's competition, NSW Touch has decided to take its 2023 Junior State Cup Northern Conference event to Dubbo on a one-year contract.
Unprecedented levels of rain which the mid-north coast has experienced in the past two years, was a key factor in their decision-making process.
Port Macquarie Mayor, Peta Pinson, acknowledged that it would have been a very difficult decision for NSW Touch to make, given the success the competition has had in our region.
"Port Macquarie is the spiritual home of Touch in this state, and we know not having next year's Juniors' event will be a big loss to locals and those that make the yearly pilgrimage to watch and play," Mayor Pinson said.
"Our community will understand and appreciate that this decision has been made in the best interests of the organisers and participants, given what has been one of the wettest periods not just for Port Macquarie but the whole mid-north coast.
"We acknowledge that this not an ideal situation for our accommodation providers, who have been valued supporters of this event each year.
"We wish NSW Touch all the best for next year, and we also look forward to putting our case forward for the Senior State Cup touch tournament when the current contract expires after the December 2022 event."
The 2022 NSW State Cup (Seniors) tournament will be held in Port Macquarie from December 2-4.
