QUEENSLAND touch football will have a family connection at this year’s State of Origin series, with husband-and-wife duo Arthur and Kelly Butler both earning selection in the maroon squads.
Arthur, also known as Goose to his friends and his wife, has been named in the Queensland Men’s 30s team, while Kelly will compete in the Mixed Seniors squad.
The pair will take the field in separate teams but share the same goal: to help Queensland secure victory over New South Wales.
“For me, it’s a whole new experience as this is my first time representing Queensland, and I am super excited for what’s to come,” Mr Butler said.
Mrs Butler, who has represented Queensland before, said the experience remains just as special.
“We both feel very honoured to be able to represent our state for the 2025 State of Origin series,” she said.
For the Butlers, representing their state together is a milestone moment in their sporting journeys.
“It’s always an honour to be selected for Queensland, and I’m always grateful for the opportunity,” Mrs Butler said.
“I’m also very excited for Goose and what he’s about to experience,” Kelly said.
Mr Butler added that making the team in the same year as his wife makes the moment even more meaningful.
“I was actually very surprised, and to also find out that Kelly had made it in the same year I will be debuting is going to make it more of a memorable experience for me.”
The couple has balanced training and preparation with family and work commitments, often pushing each other to improve in the lead-up to the event.
“We both try and do our fitness training together,” Mrs Butler said.
“We are both lucky enough to have my mum, who is frequently on ‘babysitting’ duties.”
While the pair has played at high levels individually before, this will be the first time they have both competed in a State of Origin series simultaneously.
Mr Butler believes his team has a strong chance of success.
“I believe this team that has been picked has very strong potential to take out the entire series on NSW turf,” he said.
“There is a large calibre of talent throughout the entire team, and I cannot wait to put that maroon jersey on.”
Meanwhile, Kelly is confident in the chemistry of the Senior Mixed team.
“There is a lot of touch football experience within the group. We have also previously played a lot of club touch together, so hopefully, that will show on the field,” she said.
“We will be versing a lot of our friends that we played alongside and won the World Cup with last year, so hopefully, that will give us some fire in our bellies to get the job done.”
Both players have set their own personal goals for the series.
“To be the fittest I can be and leave everything out on the field with no regrets,” Mrs Butler said.
“A win wouldn’t be too bad either.”
Mr Butler echoed her sentiments.
“To finish the series with zero injuries, preferably, and of course, a medal around my neck,” he said.
Although they often train together, the competitive spirit is alive when they go head-to-head on the field at local competitions around Logan.
“We are definitely competitive against each other and I absolutely despise playing against Goose,” Mrs Butler said.
“It’s exhausting chasing him around the field.”
Looking ahead, Mr Butler is open to the idea of coaching one day.
“Yeah, I can see myself maybe coaching in the future,” he said.
“I’m just not sure if it’ll be for rugby league or touch.”
Mrs Butler, however, prefers to keep her focus on playing.
“I personally don’t have the tolerance for coaching, but am always happy to give guidance if and when needed.”
As for how playing touch football together has impacted their relationship, Mrs Butler summed it up best.
“Touch is life, isn’t that what they say?” she said.
“We don’t have a lot of time apart.”
The State of Origin touch football series will take place on 20 to 21 June.
