Suncorp Annual Bar Football Challenge Cup

The annual Bar Football Challenge Cup was again combined with the Sports Law Conference held in Sydney on the weekend of 21st September 2013. Among the topics for the Conference, hosted by Supreme Court Justice Geoff Lindsay, were current issues around anti-doping and when contact in sport can be considered to be a crime.

The actual Challenge Cup was held at St Andrew’s Oval (University of Sydney), with Queensland looking to defend their title won in Victoria in 2012. Unfortunately that was not to be as NSW were worthy winners, being able to field two strong sides for their matches with Queensland and Victoria.

In the first match Queensland, captained by Johnny Selfridge, overcame Victoria winning 2-0 with Lee Clark & Michael Hodge scoring the goals. Best and fairest gong went to Guy Andrew for Queensland, whilst the game was refereed by John Marshall SC from Sydney.

Playing back to back in the heat was too much for Queensland who had to then back up to play NSW immediately thereafter, it was a one sided match with NSW winning 4-0. The reality is that NSW were very convincing winners, irrespective of some of the groans from aging Queenslanders. If not for Dan Favell’s (best & fairest) heroics in goal, it could have been more.

Whilst the entire team gave their everything in the searing heat, special mention must go out to Dave “Chesty” Chesterman for his unselfish running and total commitment.

NSW then won again comfortably over Victoria, running out a 6-1 victory to claim the “Tri-States Champions” title in 2013.

The Conference also raised $2100, which was donated to Camp Quality to help a child newly diagnosed with cancer to attend a Family Camp.

Queensland would like to show our appreciation to our colleagues from Victoria and NSW for a fine tournament, particularly Anthony Lo Surdo SC (NSW) and Anthony Klotz (Victoria) who both go to extreme lengths to assist in organising the event.   

Never mind it’s back to Brisbane next year when the Queenslanders will surely be looking to wrestle that coveted title back on home turf!

Johnny Selfridge

Barrister