Touch Football Australia is the governing body for the sport in this country, and is the only Touch Football organisation in Australia recognised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

Touch Football is a minimal contact sport that actively encourages physical fitness, team building, communication skills, hand-eye coordination, decision making skills and promotes mutual participation by both boys and girls. There is currently over 500,000 Australian school children who enjoy and participate in various forms of Touch Football. This participation rate ranks Touch Football as one of the highest participation sports for school aged children in Australia.

Touch Football Australia’s National Sport Operations Manager, Marianne Maguire, says that there are many benefits of playing Touch Football in an affiliated competition.

“There are over 310 affiliated local competitions in Australia and over 25,000 teams competing within those affiliates. They are competitions that provide a quick fitness fix,” Maguire said.

Children who participate in junior affiliated competitions are presented with a greater opportunity to develop their skills, understanding of the game and potential for representation. As a member of an affiliated association, junior participants have access to qualified coaches, they participate in games with qualified referees and they are also eligible to participate in regional, state and national tournaments. Another benefit is the link with the ASC and the accreditation of referees, coaches and other technical areas through ASC accredited programs.

One of the considerable benefits of being an affiliated association of Touch Football Australia is the insurance and legal reassurance of being an incorporated body.

Touch Football South Australia Sport Development Coordinator, Bri Wyatt, says that there are many benefits of juniors playing in affiliated Touch competitions.

“The main benefits are being active, so that’s one of our biggest focuses with our kids is making sure they are active and being involved. So the opportunity to run around, especially in a mixed sport as well, both boys and girls, having that interaction are then benefits,” Wyatt said.

Other benefits of Touch Football for junior players include that it is easy to learn, it is a cheap sport to play, there is minimal equipment needed and it isn’t a time consuming sport.

Carmel Good, mother of current Australian Men’s Open representative, Nick, says she would definitely recommend Touch Football to parents looking for a sport for their children to play.

“I chose getting him involved in Touch because they were all playing rugby league and it was a good off-season sport, that’s how we got involved.”

“I can’t tell you the benefits that Touch Football has given to our family, it’s been tremendous. For kids, it’s the fitness side of it and the friendships (are some of the benefits),” she said.

To find out where to play Touch Football in your area, please click on the map of Australia on the right hand side of the Touch Football Australia homepage at www.austouch.com.au

Play for life...join a sporting club is the Australian Sport Commission’s Community Sport Division’s national campaign. It is aimed at encouraging parents to support their children to join a sporting club.

You can use the club finder (http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/find_a_sporting_club) to help connect you with sporting clubs in your area. Simply select your state and the sport you are interested in and then click Search. Links to relevant websites will appear on your screen.