The sport of Touchfootball

What is Touch?

• There are many variants of Touch Football being played today. Oz Tag, Beach Touch and Flag Football, just to name a few. The most recognisable version of Touch Football has its origins from the two Rugby codes, Rugby League and Rugby Union.
• Although the skills of Touch closely resemble the two Rugby codes, there is no body contact at all. There are no tackles, scrums or kicking, and there are no goal posts.
• The Rugby tackle has been replaced with a simple 'touch/tagged' by the defender followed by a play the ball action (roll- ball).
• Touch is played with the aim of moving the ball towards the opponents score line by running and passing the ball backwards to your team mates.
• The emphasis is on running, agility and trying to out manoeuvre the opponent, with passing and catching as key skills. As such, the non-contact unisex nature of the game has made Touch one of the most popular sports here in Australia.
• Touch has grown rapidly in Australia after starting in the 1960's, and has undergone many changes. Originally known as 'Touch Football', for many years the game was seen as a sport played by retired footballers or mid-season training for footballers and by people wishing to play football without the risk of injuries involving the physical nature of the game.
• In 1986 the Federation of International Touch was formed. Touch is now recognised as a sport in its own right, both here in Australia and internationally.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

What makes Touch so popular?

• It's a sport that everybody can play. It's a game without too many rules and it is easy to adapt to.
• The social aspect of Touch also appeals to many. In most cases there is a clubhouse within the fields, which brings the players together after a game.
• Touch can also cater for all levels - from social to competitive to elite levels. Catering for Men's, Women's ,Mixed and Juniors on all levels.
• The non-contact unisex nature of the game has made Touch a great Mixed sport. A situation were Dad, Mum and the children call all play in the same team.