From his time as a player to his current position as NSW Touch general manager, there aren’t too many situations he hasn’t seen.

“I describe the event to people all the time as the duck on water,” Russell said.

“Everything looks smooth on top of the water and people think it’s an easy job, they just don’t see the amount of time and effort that goes in.”

As a result, Russell takes “real pride” in the way his staff continue to raise the bar every year.

“These days it’s just like a real pride in the way our staff put the event together and the professionalism that they put into it,” he said.

“That’s the thing a lot of people don’t see – the hours – they’ll be there at 5am every morning and won’t be gone until 8.30 at night.”

From formats of two 20 minute halves to double chance draws and then the current format, Russell has seen it all.

“We’ve been able to see this event grow and now we get the opportunity to celebrate an event at a venue for 30 years.

“I don’t know too many amateur sporting organisations that can say they’ve held an event in the one location for 30 years and it’s as positive today as it was when it started.”

“The event 30 years ago looked nothing like it looks like today. We used to play two 20 minute halves and these days the format is set.”

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