AGE doesn't weary touch players. They just keep finding new age divisions to play in.
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Taree's Gary Newman will represent NSW for the first time since 1999 when he lines up for the Blues in a State of Origin over 55 series against Queensland in Caloundra starting on Friday.
Newman, 57, last played over 40s for NSW.
He is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order from Iguana. Newman was nominated by Taree Touch.
Player power saw the 55s added to the State of Origin age divisions this season.
"After the NTL (National Touch League) the Queenslanders put a petition around asking for the 55s to be included,'' he explained.
Newman played with the Northern Eagles 55s at the NTL. Eventually the authorities relented and Newman was among the 40 players asked to attend trials in Penrith for the NSW side, where he was successful in gaining a berth.
He'll play on the wing in the three day series that kicks off on Friday afternoon. There'll be two further matches on Saturday.
Newman's looking forward to the challenge.
"I've been trying to get into a State side ever since I last played,'' he said.
"I've made squads for the 45s and 50s but this is the first team I've been selected in.''
He started playing touch in the first competition played in Taree in 1976-77.
"I played with Yarads and we won the comp,'' he said.
"We beat Village Idiots in the grand final. Ron Boden, Max Coggan, Wayne Deer, Phil Erickson and the Henry boys were some of the other players in the team.''
A school teacher, Newman then played touch at all the towns he was posted.
"They were mostly smaller places and the competitions weren't affiliated with NSW Touch. They were usually run by local rugby league clubs,'' he said.
However, in 1990 Newman moved to Albury, an association aligned with the State body and it was here he had his first experience with representative touch, making the Albury side before gaining selection in a Riverina lineup for what was then a State regional championships. He eventually earned his State spurs in 1999. There was a further highlight in 2002 when he was named in an Australian over 45s team that toured South Africa before playing in the European championships in England and Wales.
"Because it wasn't a World Cup a lot of the top players didn't nominate for selection,'' Newman explained.
"So it was sort of a second tier team.''
Since moving back to Taree Newman has been a regular member of Taree teams playing in the State Cup along with Northern Eagles representative sides. He's also turned to coaching and has had charge of a number of State primary school sides.
He's still enjoying the game and says he's had a good run with injuries over the years.
"My hamstring tore off the bone and I had that operated on while I've had an operation on my groin. But two injuries in all these years is pretty good - I've been lucky really.''
Newman thinks this could be his first and last run in the 55s at State of Origin level.
"The series is played every two years. I'll be 59 next time and I might be a bit old then,'' he said.
"So I better make the best of this opportunity.