For the first time, ADF teams competed and earned points in the Touch Football Queensland State Cup finals, transitioning from invitational status.
The ADF Touch Association supported this milestone by sending three teams, women's, men's and mixed opens, along with referees and support staff - about 60 personnel from all three services.
Players were selected to participate based on their performance at the Defence National Touch Championship held earlier in the year.
It was the first time since 2016 a mixed open team, featuring players aged 20-30, has represented the ADF.
Despite torrential rain shortening games on the second day, teams persevered and improved against strong Queensland opponents.
The women's team finished fifth overall, the men finished third in their pool - narrowly missing out on the finals - and the mixed open team finished fifth.
Seaman Hara Fraser was the second highest try scorer within the mixed open division for the whole event.
"It was a really good event to be playing mixed as there are a lot of older experienced players playing more in mixed teams now," she said.
"I really enjoyed playing the dynamic of mixed as I feel like playing as a female helps benefit my fitness, speed and agility."
She said the biggest thing learnt was building trust with the male middle and setting up for their long balls, as well as keeping up with the players running from half.
"I personally enjoy playing mixed as it helped improve my development as a player and as a person who is trying to achieve the role of a specialised winger," Seaman Fraser said.
'The structure of the training camp and quality of the coaches were outstanding.'
The Touch Football Queensland State Cup is a premier three-day tournament held annually in November, attracting more than 1500 participants from across Queensland, interstate and internationally, and is open to ages 15 and above.
Lieutenant Bailee Nix earned her first selection in an ADF Touch representative team shortly after joining the Army.
"I was honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the ADF and co-captain my team," she said.
"The structure of the training camp and quality of the coaches were outstanding. I can't wait for next year to continue building on the standard of ADF Touch Football."
Leading Aircraftman Jarrod Rayner-Badior said being able to represent the ADF in front of civilians brought a sense of pride and allowed them to showcase the fitness side of their jobs.
"I enjoyed being with mates both old and new ones on and off the field; the connections you're able to build in such a short time," he said.
"Getting to work with other people who all bring something different to the team and being able to play the game I love during work hours honestly can't get better than that."
The association invested in introducing a mixed open team this year to expand ADF representation, promote leadership and teamwork, and enhance player development and wellbeing.
This has resulted in increased opportunities for young ADF members of all three services to benefit from participation in ADF sports.
