Hall of Fame

Gai Taylor

Year Inducted: 2014

Being part of the inaugural Hornets (formally Region 5) Womens Open team in 1984, Gai Taylor was the only female from the country to take part in the 1984 NSW Womens Open side, setting the benchmark high for female players to come.

She was a dominating player out of the link position with her long and powerful stride that consistently took the best defenses at the highest level apart. Her defensive play was also exceptional with an uncanny ability to stop all manner of attacking raids through her reading of the game. She is also one of the nicest women you will meet belaying her fierce determination and will to win. Indeed, her longevity and commitment cannot be questioned.

She represented NSW from 1985 to 1991 in Opens and some further 8 years in senior SOO.

Having played in the first ever Women’s test match against New Zealand in 1986, Taylor went on to become one of the most capped Australian Women’s representatives of all time, with 30 caps for Australia (26 World Cup Games, and 4 Test Matches), captaining her teams at various times.

Taylor played in three World Cups for Australia, in 1988, 1997 and 1999, as well as playing in the 1986 and 1988 Test matches against New Zealand and Canada.

Gai Taylor is the only touch player in the Hunter Sporting Hall of Fame. And has also succeeded to be inducted into Maitland, Hornets, NSW & Australian touch halls’ of fame over recent years, respectively.

Dean McManus

Year Inducted: 2014

This player came onto the scene a little later in his life and during his career dominated all challenges amongst the senior ranks. Kick-starting his representative career for Hornets (Region 5) in 1985 as a Mens Open Player, ‘Deano’ worked his way up the touch football ranks to shine above so many others as a key player in the game of touch.

His debut for NSW was in 1990 in the Men’s 30 division, where he made immediate impact as a player who could read the game like few before him. Throughout his career at the top level he demonstrated that while possessing skills that allowed him to play the game two touches in front of his opponents he was also the consummate team man, ensuring that the goals of the team were always placed ahead of his own personal goals. With great acceleration and a deft passing game he constantly threatened any defensive line.

Attending 5 Touch World Cups (as of 2015), McManus is one of the longest serving international players in which Australia has to boast about. Captaining the Mens 35’s in 1997, Vice Captain in 1999 and 2015 he has racked up a total of 44 international caps, representing Australia.

His ability to read play not only made him a danger in attack, coupled with his acceleration it made him into one of the games safest defenders. Ask any whom have been lucky enough to play also side him and they will tell you he is their first pick every time. Blessed with talent, he is also a humble man who is one of our games true gentleman.

Dean McManus was named in the Wallsend Mens Team of the Quarter Century, Maitland, Hornets, and NSW Touch Halls’ of Fame.

Nicole Mitchell

Year Inducted: 2015

<<Bio coming soon>>

Dean Wilbow

Year Inducted: 2015

REGIONAL: Hunter Western Hornets
- 1994-2016 – Men’s Open to Men’s 40s and Mixed Open Player
STATE: NSW Touch Association
- NSW Mixed Open player -1996, 1999, 2001, 2002.
- Men’s Open – 2004
- Men’s 30s – 2006
- Mixed Open – 2008 – Captain
- Men’s 35s – 2012
- Player of the series -2014
- Men’s 40s – 2016 – Captain
NATIONAL: Touch Football Australia
- Mixed Open – 2001 and 2003
- World Cup – 2005 – Captain
- Men’s 30s – 2010
- Men’s 35’s – 2015 – Captain