The ever popular staple of Sunday NRL in front of the television is set to take on a new dimension with a unique extended format of Sunday afternoon NRL coverage on Channel Nine, from 31 May, 2015. Not only will NRL fans and broader audience get their usual fix of Rugby League action with Sunday NRL Live on Channel Nine, but with an exciting entrée leading into the regular afternoon broadcast over consecutive Sundays (31 May, 7 and 14 June).
The 2015 Touch World Cup Finals featuring the best touch football talent on the planet across the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed (Open’s) divisions is set to light up Channel’s Nine’s Sunday NRL telecast over coming weeks with an hour-long highlights package of each divisions’ finals matches leading into the regular Sunday NRL 4.00pm (AEST) timeslot. The three x one hour Touch World Cup finals will be broadcast into over 50 countries across Asia Pacific and Europe via Fox International, Star TV and Eurosport, following the free to air broadcast on Nine. Broader distribution domestically to be confirmed.
Australia are looking to continue their domination in the quadrennial Touch World Cup with a record eight successive Touch World Cup titles up for grabs in coming weeks. The Touch World Cup series commenced on the Gold Coast back in 1988 and has been showcased across the globe in New Zealand (1991), Hawaii (US – 1995), Sydney (1999), Japan (2003), South Africa (2007) and Scotland (2011), in ensuing years before returning to these shores. Australia has enjoyed enduring success over the 27-year period with New Zealand, Australia’s main rival across most divisions.
Host Nation and Touch Football Australia CEO, Colm Maguire, said the news and the overall opportunity was very exciting and timely.
“This is such a fantastic outcome for the sport of Touch Football and it is a real breakthrough to have our pinnacle international event showcased in this way,” he said.
“This highlights the benefit of our alignment with the NRL but the success of our overall broadcast commitment over our current strategic cycle which includes numerous televised events.
“This also positions the sport even more strongly, not only through our partnership with the NRL but as an immensely popular participation sport played at the elite level, beamed out to a much wider domestic and international television audience.
“We look forward to seeing our athletes on such a stage and wish them well for the event.
“One of the advantages of the free-to-air broadcast is the fact that close to 50% of the television coverage will feature our female participants.
“And that is pivotal to our participation and performance environment and strategic focus with the NRL.”
NRL CEO Dave Smith welcomed Channel Nine’s support in showcasing International Touch Football.
“It is fantastic that fans will be able to enjoy the international game as part of Channel Nine’s Sunday football broadcast,” he said.
“Through our strategic alliance with TFA we are committed to growing the profile of the game and Sunday afternoon time slot on Channel Nine presents the ideal opportunity to do so.
“The NRL Touch Football partnership provides both sports with opportunities to work together and grow our participation numbers as we look to create Australia’s largest sporting community.
“I look forward to a fantastic few days of competition in Coffs Harbour and wish the Australian team the best of luck in their quest for eight World Cup titles.”
The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, is proud to partner with Touch Football Australia to secure major Touch Football events in NSW. This event is part of the NSW Government’s support for Touch Football, which follows also the Youth Trans-Tasman event at Cronulla and the National Touch League in Coffs Harbour earlier this year.
Channel Nine Touch Football World Cup broadcast times:
- Sunday May 31 – 2:30pm followed by Dragons v Sharks
- Sunday June 7 – 2:30pm followed by Sharks v Roosters
- Sunday June 14 – 2:30pm followed by Titans v Bulldogs
(* TWC times are NSW only) (*QLD Cup continues on Channel Nine in QLD)
Social Media Touch World Cup
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/touchworldcup15 @touchworldcup15
- Instagram – https://instagram.com/touchworldcup2015
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TouchWorldCup
Social Media Touch Football Australia
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/touchfootyaus @touchfootyaus
- Instagram – https://instagram.com/touchfootballaustralia
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/touchfootballaustralia
