That is what Dean Russell, the general manager for the NSW Touch Football Association, said when announcing the region has secured the tender for the NSW State Cup until 2022.

In 2018, the State Cup will celebrate 30 years in Port Macquarie – and if all goes to plan it will stay anchored to the town for many years to come.

“The NSW Touch Association is extremely pleased to continue our long association with the Port Macquarie community in hosting the State Cup,” he said.

"While we have a long relationship with the area and council, it is obvious through their tender proposal for the event, that they have not relied on that history to get them over the line.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor, Peter Pinson, said she was pleased the town is able to extend its relationship with the association.

“I’d particularly like to acknowledge the great support we received from our community, the Port Touch Association and Port Juniors, as well as St Agnes Parish and Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association,” she said.

The State Cup and Port Macquarie a long and successful history with the very first Cup played in the township in 1977.

While 32 teams were participating then, this year’s event will see 251 teams entered. The collaboration between council and the St Agnes Parish has been crucial in the successful bid to retain the event.

At the same time, Mr Russell announced Port Macquarie was also successful in securing the inaugural Junior State Cup Northern Conference competition.

In a change to the delivery of the New South Wales Touch Association’s Junior State Cup, from 2019 the event will be split into a northern and southern conference with a state final.

Port Macquarie still has one year on the current Junior State Cup tender and will now see the revised version in its current location until 2021.

“We currently anticipate approximately 220-240 teams will participate in the first year of the new structure in the Northern Conference,” he said.

“The association holds a firm view on growing that number further through the course of tenure. We have now been at this venue for the Junior State Cup since 2013.

“When taking into account this tender proposal, the known requirements of the event, the relationships already in place and the capacity of the venue to host such any event, the current location proved to be the best fit for the association in this exciting new chapter of the Junior State Cup.”