Wilson first took on the role of President in 1990, guiding the Townsville Castle Hill Touch Association Inc. (now trading as Townsville Touch Football) through more than three decades of sustained growth and development.
His involvement in touch football began more than fifty years ago, in the sport’s formative years during the late 1960's and early 1970s.
Too young to play under the original restrictions—which limited participation to players aged over twenty-five who were not playing rugby league or rugby union—Wilson began his journey as a referee before taking the field as a player in 1975, the inaugural year of the unrestricted Castle Hill Touch Association.
Within a few short years, his passion for the sport and commitment to its community saw him elected as Vice President of Castle Hill Touch in 1978, beginning an unbroken record of service that continues to this day.
He went on to serve as President of Castle Hill Touch from 1981 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1988, before becoming Vice President of the newly amalgamated Townsville Castle Hill Touch Association (TCHTA) in 1989.
The amalgamation of the Townsville Touch Association and Castle Hill Touch Association, driven in large part by Wilson’s leadership and vision, unified the local touch football community and laid the foundation for the professional administration that exists today.
Under his presidency, the Association has achieved a number of significant milestones, including the lighting of all eight fields at Queens Park and the construction of the TCHTA Clubhouse, which remains the home of touch football in Townsville.
Wilson’s influence has extended far beyond Townsville, with long-standing service at both regional and state level.
He has served as Vice President and President of the North Queensland Touch Association, Vice President and President of the Queensland Touch Association, and has been a key contributor to the sport’s development across the state.
In 1990, a month after being bestowed as the second Life Member of the Townsville Touch Referees Association, Wilson was also named alongside Barry Peters as the first Life Members of the Townsville Castle Hill Touch Association, recognising their foundational contributions to the sport’s success in Townsville.
A foundation member of the Townsville Touch Referees Association and a former state-graded referee, Wilson has also coached and managed teams at club, regional, and state level, helping to build a strong foundation for the sport’s growth throughout North Queensland.
Fellow touch football stalwart, and Frogs Touch Club delegate Leigh Preston, spoke highly of Glen's contribution to the sport of touch football, thanking him for the tremendous service he has given throughout his long career.
"[Wilson] has been instrumental in the success of touch football here in Townsville."
"It has been a pleasure working with him over the many, many years that you have given us and I want to thank him for everything he has given us and our sport."
It was a sentiment echoed by incoming President Kerrod Hall, who also thanked Wilson for the support he has given and will continue to give to himself and the sport.
"He's been here longer than many of our players have been alive, and the contribution he's made over those years is simply unparalleled."
"There aren't many people who have the same longevity as a volunteer that Glen has had, and to have given so much of his time and effort into running our association and supporting our people deserves our genuine thanks."
While stepping down as President, Wilson’s commitment to the Association will continue for at least another 12 months, having been elected unopposed as Vice President to assist incoming Hall through his first year in the role.
Tonight’s meeting marks the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter in Townsville Touch Football’s history, and the beginning of a new one built upon the legacy that Glen Wilson leaves behind.